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 the Federal Meat Inspection Act and 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 its requirements are at least equal to those imposed pursuant to the Federal Meat Inspection Act and in 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 the 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 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 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 commissioner is authorized to accept from the 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 Board of Animal Health 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. Repealed by Acts 2016, No. 256, §2.

            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; Acts 2012, No. 811, §1, eff. July 1, 2012; Acts 2016, No. 256, §§1, 2.

*21 U.S.C.A. §601 ET SEQ.

**21 U.S.C.A. §451 ET SEQ.