The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is authorized to aid and assist agricultural operations and landowners in the preparedness for, response to, and recovery from agricultural emergencies. This authorization is given separate and apart from the authorities authorized by Chapter 166A of the N.C. Gen. Stat. and shall not require declaration of a state of emergency pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.20 for its implementation. In the event of a state of emergency declaration and where this Article is inconsistent with the provisions of Chapter 166A of the N.C. Gen. Stat., the provisions of Chapter 166A of the N.C. Gen. Stat. shall control as to the areas covered under the declaration. The Board of Agriculture may adopt rules necessary for the implementation and administration of this Article. (2016-113, s. 2(a); 2018-142, s. 12(c).)