Page 1 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2010 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 149
BY SENATORS THOMPSON, LONG, NEVERS, RISER, SMITH AND WALSWORTH
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 3:4201(12) and 4203 and to enact R.S. 3:4201(22), relative to2
slaughtering livestock; to provide for the definition of the "Federal Humane Methods3
of Livestock Slaughter Act"; to provide relative to humane methods of slaughter; to4
require inspections of slaughtering establishments; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 3:4201(12) and 4203 are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.7
3:4201(22) is hereby enacted to read as follows: 8
§4201. Definitions 9
As used in this Chapter, except as otherwise specified, the following terms10
shall have the meanings stated below: 11
* * *12
(12) The term "Federal Meat Inspection Act" means the act so entitled13
approved March 4, 1907, as amended by the Wholesome Meat Act (21 U.S.C. 71 et14
seq.), and acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto. 15
* * *16
(22) The term "Federal Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter Act of17
1978" means the act so entitled, approved October 10, 1978 (7 U.S.C. 1901 et18
seq.), and acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto.19
* * *20
§4203. Antemortem inspection and humane methods of slaughter21
A. For the purpose of preventing the use in intrastate commerce, as22
hereinafter provided, of meat and meat food products which are adulterated, the23
ACT No. 496 SB NO. 149 ENROLLED
Page 2 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
commissioner shall cause to be made, by inspector inspectors appointed for that1
purpose, an antemortem inspection of all cattle, sheep, poultry, swine, goats, horses,2
mules and other equines before they shall be allowed to enter into any slaughtering,3
packing, meat-canning, rendering or similar establishment, in this state in which4
slaughtering and preparation of meat and meat food products of such animals are5
conducted solely for intrastate commerce, and all cattle, sheep, poultry, swine, goats,6
horses, mules and other equines found on such inspection to show symptoms of7
disease shall be condemned if the diseased condition warrants such action, or shall8
be set apart and slaughtered separately from all other cattle, sheep, poultry, swine,9
horses, mules or other equines, and when so slaughtered, the carcasses of said cattle,10
sheep, poultry, swine, goats, horses, mules or other equines shall be subject to a11
careful examination, all as provided by the rules and regulations to be prescribed by12
the commissioner as herein provided for.13
B. For the purpose of preventing the inhumane slaughtering of livestock,14
the commissioner shall cause to be made, by inspectors appointed for that15
purpose, an examination and inspection of the method by which cattle, sheep,16
swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines are slaughtered and handled in17
connection with slaughter in the slaughtering establishments inspected in this18
state. The commissioner may refuse to provide inspection to a new slaughtering19
establishment or may temporarily suspend inspection at a slaughtering20
establishment if the commissioner finds that any cattle, sheep, swine, goats,21
horses, mules, or other equines have been slaughtered or handled in connection22
with slaughter by any method not in accordance with the Federal Humane23
Methods of Livestock Slaughter Act (7 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq.). The refusal to24
inspect or suspension shall continue until the establishment furnishes25
assurances satisfactory to the commissioner that all slaughtering and handling26
in connection with slaughter of livestock is in accordance with such method.27
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not28
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature29
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If30 SB NO. 149 ENROLLED
Page 3 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become1
effective on the day following such approval.2
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: