Section 2-17A-2

Promulgation of rules and regulations by Board of Agriculture and Industries; minimum standards for rules and regulations.

The State Board of Agriculture and Industries is hereby authorized to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations providing for inspection for wholesomeness of domestically raised rabbits, rabbit meat and rabbit meat food products at any adequately equipped meat or meat food products slaughtering or processing plant or establishment where domesticated rabbits are killed, dressed or processed for human food to the end that domesticated rabbit meat and rabbit meat food products may be sold commercially for human food and that consumers thereof will be supplied with a wholesome and healthful product. Such rules and regulations shall provide for the inspection of rabbit carcasses and parts thereof, as well as any rabbit food products offered for sale and distribution in this state and for the seizure, condemnation and destruction of rabbits, rabbit carcasses and parts thereof not in compliance with rules and regulations adopted under authority of this chapter. Rules and regulations as authorized in this section shall also be promulgated and adopted to govern the preparation, packaging, labeling and transportation of rabbit meat and rabbit meat food products as well as the cleanliness and sanitation of the premises on which rabbits and rabbit meat food products are slaughtered, processed, packaged, labeled or sold or offered for sale for human consumption, together with provisions for withdrawal of inspection services for violations of any rules and regulations adopted under this section. Any such rules and regulations as may be adopted under this section shall comply with or be at least equal to requirements of any regulations now proposed or as may hereafter be imposed by the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States relating to the slaughtering, processing and sale of rabbit meat and rabbit meat food products.

(Acts 1978, No. 656, p. 944, §2.)