4-32a-204.  Inspection and slaughter of domesticated game.

(1)  Except as provided in Section 4-32a-205, domesticated game shall receive both an antemortem inspection and postmortem inspection by a veterinarian or veterinarian designee as part of the slaughtering process, in accordance with this section.

Terms Used In Utah Code 4-32a-204

  • Antemortem inspection: means the inspection of live domesticated game immediately before slaughter. See Utah Code 4-32a-201
  • Department: means the Department of Agriculture and Food created in Chapter 2, Administration. See Utah Code 4-1-109
  • Domesticated game: means one of the following that is commercially raised for wholesale or retail sale to a restaurant, store, or end consumer:
(a) a domesticated elk;
(b) a bison;
(c) a game bird; or
(d) a rabbit. See Utah Code 4-32a-201
  • Domesticated game carcass: means any part of the slaughtered body of domesticated game, including entrails and edible meats. See Utah Code 4-32a-201
  • Postmortem inspection: means the inspection of a domesticated game carcass after slaughter. See Utah Code 4-32a-201
  • Process: means to cut, grind, manufacture, compound, smoke, intermix, or prepare products from a domesticated game carcass. See Utah Code 4-32a-201
  • Slaughter: means killing domesticated game in a humane manner, including skinning or dressing. See Utah Code 4-32a-201
  • Veterinarian: means a veterinarian licensed under Title 58, Chapter 28, Veterinary Practice Act, who has successfully completed formal training in antemortem inspection and postmortem inspection. See Utah Code 4-32a-201
  • Veterinarian designee: means an individual designated by a veterinarian as successfully completing formal training in antemortem inspection and postmortem inspection. See Utah Code 4-32a-201
  • (2)  A veterinarian or veterinarian designee may complete an antemortem inspection or postmortem inspection in the field, in accordance with the requirements of this part.

    (3) 

    (a)  Before undertaking an antemortem inspection or postmortem inspection, a veterinarian or veterinarian designee shall inspect the designated slaughter area and facilities in accordance with this part and department rule.

    (b)  A veterinarian or veterinarian designee may not undertake an antemortem or postmortem inspection if the designated slaughter area and facilities do not pass the inspection described in Subsection (3)(a).

    (4)  If domesticated game requires an antemortem inspection and the domesticated game does not pass the antemortem inspection, the domesticated game may not be slaughtered for wholesale or retail sale.

    (5) 

    (a)  Before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut, domesticated game shall be rendered insensible to pain by a single blow, gunshot, electrical shock, or other means that is instantaneous and effective.

    (b)  Immediately after domesticated game is stunned or killed, the domesticated game or domesticated game carcass shall be shackled, hoisted, stuck, and bled.

    (c)  The parts of a domesticated game carcass shall be identified with the particular carcass until after completion of the postmortem inspection, in accordance with department rule.

    (6) 

    (a)  Postmortem inspection of a domesticated game carcass shall be conducted immediately following the slaughter and evisceration of the domesticated game.

    (b)  A veterinarian or veterinarian designee that completes a postmortem inspection shall, if condemning a domesticated game carcass:

    (i)  mark each domesticated game carcass or part of a domesticated game carcass as condemned in accordance with department rule; and

    (ii)  retain custody of each condemned domesticated game carcass or carcass part until proper disposal occurs, in accordance with 9 C.F.R. part 314 and department rule.

    Enacted by Chapter 315, 2019 General Session