Section 25-3-8 - Office created; deputies; qualifications; compensation. - New Mexico Statutes

25-3-8. Office created; deputies; qualifications; compensation.

A.     The office of "chief veterinary meat inspector" is created under the New Mexico livestock board, subject to the control and direction of the executive director of the board. The livestock board shall appoint a veterinarian licensed in New Mexico who shall meet the requirements established by the board. He shall serve at the pleasure of the board and shall receive such salary as the board determines. The duties of the chief veterinary meat inspector shall be to supervise the state meat inspection service, [and] enforce and efficiently carry out the Meat Inspection Act [25-3-6 to 25-3-21 NMSA 1978] so as to assure the public that only pure, wholesome and unadulterated meat and meat food products are offered for sale.   

B.     Upon qualification by the chief veterinary meat inspector the board shall appoint and fix salaries of veterinary meat inspectors and lay meat inspectors, under the provisions of the State Personnel Act [10-9-1 to 10-9-25 NMSA 1978], who shall be responsible to the chief veterinary meat inspector and who shall conduct ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections, enforce sanitary requirements, perform other duties necessary to conduct proper meat inspection and carry out the provisions of the Meat Inspection Act.   

C.     An inspector assigned to a slaughtering establishment with state meat inspection service shall neither be related to the management of such establishment nor have a financial interest therein.   

D.     Each inspector shall take the oath of office.