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31A.21 COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
    Subdivision 1. Designation. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is the state agency
responsible for cooperating with the United States Secretary of Agriculture under section 301
of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and of the Poultry Products Inspection Act to develop and
administer the state meat inspection program under this chapter so that its requirements at least
equal those imposed under titles I and IV of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and of the Poultry
Products Inspection Act to develop and administer the state program under sections 31A.17 to
31A.20 to carry out the purposes of this chapter and the federal act.
    Subd. 2. Federal assistance. In its cooperative efforts, the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture may accept from the United States Secretary of Agriculture (1) advisory assistance
in planning and otherwise developing the state program, (2) technical and laboratory assistance
and training, including necessary curricular and instructional materials and equipment, and (3)
financial and other aid for the administration of the program.
    Subd. 3. Advice; consultation. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture may recommend
to the United States Secretary of Agriculture officials or employees of this state for appointment
to the advisory committees provided for in section 301 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and
of the Poultry Products Inspection Act. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture shall serve
as the representative of the governor for consultation with the secretary under paragraph (c) of
section 301 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and of the Poultry Products Inspection Act unless
the governor selects another representative.
    Subd. 4. Municipalities; government subdivisions. If the state program includes
performance of functions by a municipality or other subdivision of state government, the
municipality or subdivision is part of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for the purposes
of this section.
    Subd. 5. Application to operate inspection service. A municipality or other subdivision of
state government, through the agent of a board of health as authorized under section 145A.04
or other appropriate authority, may apply in writing for designation to operate a state-approved
inspection service under supervision of the commissioner. Applications must be filed on forms
obtained from the commissioner and include the information the commissioner requires.
    Subd. 6. Inspection and designation. On receipt of an application under subdivision 5, the
commissioner shall determine whether the applicant's inspection service conforms with this
chapter and the designation to operate under the commissioner's supervision as an approved
inspection service. A municipality or other subdivision of state government may be designated
only after the commissioner determines that each establishment under supervision of the
municipality or other subdivision conforms with this chapter and the rules of the commissioner
and that the municipality or subdivision is effectively enforcing laws and rules equivalent to
sections 31A.01 to 31A.31 and the rules of the commissioner. The department shall make
regular inspections and surveys to determine if the inspection service continues to comply. The
commissioner may revoke the designation of inspection service by an agency if the commissioner
finds that there is a failure to conform to the provisions of this chapter or the rules.
    Subd. 7. Reimbursement by state. If a municipality or other subdivision of state government
performs inspection service under this section, the agency may be reimbursed for the service at
a rate contracted with Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
History: 1969 c 225 s 21; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 309 s 24; 1988 c 469 art
2 s 1; 1999 c 231 s 63,64; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 55

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes