RS 3:4222 Federal and state cooperation; designated authority - Louisiana Statutes

§4222.  Federal and state cooperation; designated authority

A.  The commissioner is hereby designated as the state agency which shall be responsible for cooperating with the secretary of agriculture of the United States under the provisions of Sections 114 and 114a of the Federal Meat Inspection Act* and Section 467 of the Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act** and such agency is directed to cooperate with the secretary of agriculture of the United States in developing and administering the meat inspection program of this state under this Chapter to assure that not later than November 15, 1970 its requirements will be at least equal to those developing and administering the program of this state under the provisions of this Chapter in such a manner as will effectuate the purposes of this Chapter and said federal acts.  However, no provision of this Chapter shall be understood or construed as changing or repealing any present constitutional provision or statutory law of the state with respect to the powers, duties and responsibilities of the Louisiana State Department of Health or with respect to the Sanitary Code or the State Food, Drugs and Cosmetic Act except to the extent and only to the extent of direct conflict with the provisions herein contained and rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.  Where practical the Louisiana Department of Agriculture shall enter into a contractual agreement with the Louisiana Department of Health for services presently being rendered by the Louisiana State Department of Health and all related services under the provisions of various applicable laws, to the extent necessary to assure compliance with the provisions and purposes of this Chapter.

B.  In such cooperative efforts, the commission is authorized to accept from said secretary advisory assistance in planning and otherwise developing the state program, technical and laboratory assistance and training including necessary curricular and instructional materials and equipment, and financial and other aid for administration of such a program.  The commissioner is further authorized to spend public funds of this state appropriated for administration of this Chapter to pay fifty per centum of the estimated total cost of the cooperative program.

C.  The commissioner of agriculture shall serve as the representative of the governor in all consultations and negotiations with the secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture concerning the development and implementation of this Chapter and the Federal Meat Inspection Act* and the Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act.** The Louisiana State Livestock Sanitary Board (R.S. 3:2091) shall advise the commissioner on all aspects of all consultations with the federal secretary and on all other aspects of the enforcement of the provisions of this Chapter.

D.  Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, the provisions hereof shall not be construed to affect the meat inspection program carried out by the East Baton Rouge Parish Health Unit under applicable ordinances of the city of Baton Rouge and the parish of East Baton Rouge, and inspections made and approvals given by that agency under said program shall be acceptable for all purposes of this Chapter provided the standards in effect in the city and parish ordinances are equal to or higher than those in this Chapter and Public Law 90-201.  For the purpose of compliance with Public Law 90-201, the East Baton Rouge Parish Health Unit shall be deemed to be a part of the state agency insofar as said meat inspection program is concerned.

Acts 1968, No. 376, §20.  Amended by Acts 1970, No. 615, §1; Acts 1982, No. 443, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; Acts 1982, No. 750, §1, eff. Aug. 2, 1982; Acts 1985, No. 73, §1.

*21 U.S.C.A. §601 ET SEQ.

**21 U.S.C.A. §451 ET SEQ.