Opinion ID: 168236
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The USDA regulations

Text: M r. B ahrani first challenges the district court’s conclusion that the USDA regulations do not create a § 3729(a)(7) obligation to obtain “in lieu of” or replacement certificates. He maintains that “every time Conagra alters, changes or corrects USDA export certificates it avoids paying set and established monetary fees to the government.” Aplt’s Br. at 47 (emphasis in original). In support of this argument, he relies on Food Inspection Service Directive 9000.1 and the affidavit of a former USD A veterinarian, Dr. M ark M ina. According to M r. Bahrani, Directive 9000.1 provides that “a certifying official can only initial minor erasures or alterations before signing the certificate.” Id. at 42. (internal quotation marks omitted). He continues, “The certifying official has only this one opportunity to approve minor alterations after which any discretion he may have had to approve changes is forever extinguished. There are no provisions allowing the certifying official to approve and initial changes after the certificate is signed.” Id. at 42-43. Like the district court, we are not persuaded by M r. Bahrani’s reading of the Directive. The relevant sections provide: