§ 2361 — General authority

The department shall have authority to regulate the destruction, slaughter or processing of domestic animals in order to assure the proper treatment of domestic animals and the safety and quality of food of domestic animal origin. The department may:

(1) Establish standards for the humane slaughter of domestic animals.

(2) Regulate the slaughter and processing of domestic animals for human or animal consumption and may require the licensure of slaughter and processing establishments.

(3) Establish minimum standards regarding the health and quality of domestic animals permitted to be processed for human consumption or animal feed.