Release No. 0089.96

                                     Sara Wright   (202) 720-9528
                                     Jerry Redding (202) 720-6959

PENNSYLVANIA PACKER AND PACKER BUYER AGREE TO CONSENT DECISION

     WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 1996--Taylor Packing Co., Inc., Wyalusing,
Pennsylvania, and Harold A. Roney, a packer buyer in Preston Park,
Pennsylvania, buying livestock on behalf of Taylor Packing, have entered into
an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to settle an
administrative complaint.

     Michael V. Dunn, assistant secretary for marketing and regulatory
programs, said under the terms of the settlement, Taylor Packing Co., and
Roney shall not take turns with others in buying livestock at livestock
markets, manipulate or control prices of livestock sold in commerce, restrict
competition in the purchasing of livestock in commerce, or agree or arrange
with others to refrain from bidding on livestock against any competitive
livestock buyer.

     Taylor Packing Co. and Roney jointly and severally paid a $50,000 civil
penalty, and another $20,000 is being held in abeyance for three years so long
as Taylor Packing and Roney do not violate the terms of the settlement.

     Dunn said Taylor Packing Co. and Roney, in agreeing to the penalties,
neither admitted nor denied the federal administrative charges filed by USDA
under authority of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.

     The P&S Act is an antitrust, fair trade practice, and payment protection
law.  It is designed to assure free and open competition and to prevent unfair
and deceptive practices in the marketing of livestock, meat, and poultry.

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