Scheme Nickname: 
Main formal (APA) hearings scheme

Formal adjudicatory proceedings for administrative/enforcement proceedings instituted by the Secretary relating to a wide range of matters, including: agricultural marketing orders; promotion and research programs for agricultural products; food safety inspections; grain standards and inspections; veterinarian accreditation; regulation of biologic agents and toxins that pose a threat to animal or plant health; organic food certification; animal welfare programs; claims/debt collection; and, enforcement of nondiscrimination by recipients of federal financial assistance.

Proceedings are initiated by the filing of a complaint by the agency. Applicable procedures are primarily found in 7 CFR Part 1, Subpart H, though supplemental rules of practice also apply to certain types of cases.

Comments/Notes on Adjudication Structure: 
Departmental Management (DM) is USDA's central administrative management organization/division. Both OALJ and OJO fall under DM. DM has independent of any USDA program offices or program responsibilities.
Types of Adjudication: 
Type A
Type B
Comments/Notes on Adjudication Type(s): 
The bulk of cases heard by OALJ are statutorily-required to have "on the record" hearings; however, a handful of case types are heard by OALJ by virtue of USDA regulations.
Resources & Articles: 
Rules of Practice Governing Formal Adjudicatory Proceedings Instituted by the Secretary" (April 2005): http://www.dm.usda.gov/oaljdecisions/RulesofPractice.pdf
Verified by Agency: 
Not verified
Is this a Major Adjudication: 
Yes