32.3.137    AUTHORITY TO SEIZE AND DESTROY ARTICLES, PRODUCTS, AND COMMODITIES

(1) Agents of the Montana Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division, are authorized and it shall be their duty to destroy and render unfit for human or livestock consumption any meat, meat food products, or dairy food products which, in their judgment and in accordance with the regulations of the Montana Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division, are unfit for human or livestock consumption.

(2) All duly authorized agents of the Montana Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division, are hereby authorized to seize all milk or cream or other dairy food products and animal food products which may be brought into the state of Montana in violation of the provisions of ARM 32.3.101, or the rules of the Montana Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division. The owner or agent of any such product shall be notified at once of such seizure, and if he or she shall fail to direct the removal of such product from the state of Montana within 24 hours, the agent of the Montana Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division, may destroy or otherwise dispose of such product.

(3) All authorized agents of the Montana Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division, are hereby authorized to seize, confiscate, order returned or destroyed, hold for disinfection, or otherwise treat any article, product, or commodity brought into the state of Montana in violation of any law, governor's proclamation or Montana Department of Livestock, Animal Health Division, order or rule promulgated for the protection of the livestock industry, or to guard against the importation of disease or diseases which may affect or endanger livestock.

History: 81-2-102, 81-20-101, MCA; IMP, 81-2-102, 81-20-101, MCA; Eff. 12/31/72.