citation_inspection: 33214

During the pre-license process, this applicant has interfered with the inspection process. He applied for a USDA license on January 29, 2016. On or about March 15th, he said by phone he was not quite ready and would call back. On March 30th, 2016, he called APHIS inspector and stated he would be ready soon but was busy the upcoming weekend (1-3 April 2016). On April 15th, the 1st pre-license was scheduled. The applicant told USDA inspector on that date that he planned to move and it may be relatively soon. Inspector decided to just made that date a courtesy visit. While reviewing exotic animal auction records in early May, USDA inspector found the sale of 3 camels at the auction by this person on April 2nd, 2016. This was the same weekend that he stated he was busy and could not do the pre-license inspection. Additionally, he never spoke about these sales or mentioned them on the courtesy visit on April 15, 2016. An APHIS Form 7020 was received by USDA inspector showing the sale of 2 camels to a USDA licensee. This person stated to USDA inspector that the paperwork must be an error, the animals were not sold to the licensee but were actually there on breeder loan. Statement from the USDA licensee confirmed it was in fact a sale. Successfully maintaining compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and its regulations requires an honest and open line of communication between the regulated facility and the USDA. Making untrue statements and not being forthcoming concerning business practices make it impossible to effectively regulate the facility. NO REGULATED ACTIVITY MAY BE CONDUCTED UNTIL A USDA LICENSE IS OBTAINED.