(a) A person who is the owner or caretaker of livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl that die from a disease listed by the commission in rules adopted under § 161.041, or who owns or controls the land on which the livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl die or on which the carcasses are found, shall dispose of the carcasses in the manner required by the commission under this section.

Terms Used In Texas Agriculture Code 161.004

  • Livestock: means cattle, horses, mules, asses, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, exotic livestock, including elk and elk hybrids, and hogs, unless otherwise defined. See Texas Agriculture Code 1.003
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Rule: includes regulation. See Texas Government Code 311.005

(b) The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may not adopt a rule related to the disposal of livestock under this section unless the rule is developed in cooperation with and is approved by the Texas Animal Health Commission.
(c) The commission shall:
(1) determine the most effective methods of disposing of diseased carcasses, including methods other than burning or burial; and
(2) by rule prescribe the method or methods that a person may use to dispose of a carcass as required by Subsection (a).
(d) The commission by rule may delegate its authority under this section to the executive director.