Subject to subsection (b), each packer required to report information to the Secretary under this subchapter shall maintain, and make available to the Secretary on request, for 2 years-
(1) the original contracts, agreements, receipts and other records associated with any transaction relating to the purchase, sale, pricing, transportation, delivery, weighing, slaughter, or carcass characteristics of all livestock; and
(2) such records or other information as is necessary or appropriate to verify the accuracy of the information required to be reported under this subchapter.
Under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary may not require a packer to provide new or additional information if-
(1) the information is not generally available or maintained by packers; or
(2) the provision of the information would be unduly burdensome.
A record of a purchase of a lot of cattle or a lot of swine by a packer shall evidence whether the purchase occurred-
(1) before 10:00 a.m. Central Time;
(2) between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Central Time; or
(3) after 2:00 p.m. Central Time.
(Aug. 14, 1946, ch. 966, title II, §255, as added