7 U.S.C. § 511n — Hearings; examination of witnesses; refusal to testify or produce evidence

This section lets the Secretary of Agriculture, or an officer or employee the Secretary picks, run hearings to enforce the rules in this chapter. They can put witnesses under oath. They can sign and issue subpoenas — official orders demanding someone appear or hand over documents. They can require people to produce books, records, accounts, memoranda, and papers. If someone refuses to show up, refuses to testify, or refuses to produce those documents after being served a subpoena, the matter doesn't stop there. The proper U.S. district court has the power to compel that person to obey the subpoena — meaning the court can order them to comply.