A person shall not engage in the business of slaughtering cattle unless the person has been issued a grant of inspection by the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, except that this requirement does not apply to rendering plants.
Slaughter of CattleLicensed Slaughterers
Section § 22031
You can't run a business that slaughters cattle in California unless you have permission from the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, but rendering plants don't need this approval.
cattle slaughter business permit USDA inspection
Section § 22037
If you're a mobile slaughter operator in California, you need to register with the relevant bureau before you can slaughter cattle. You have to include the names and addresses of the owners and any other information the state asks for. If you don't follow the rules laid out in Section 22001.5 or 22008, your registration can be canceled, but only after you've been given a notice and a chance to be heard.
(a)CA Food And Agriculture Code § 22037(a) A mobile slaughter operator, as provided in Section 22001.5, shall file a registration with the bureau that shows the names and addresses of the owners of the unlicensed mobile slaughterer and any other information the secretary may require.
(b)CA Food And Agriculture Code § 22037(b) The registration shall be filed with the bureau before a mobile slaughter operator may slaughter cattle pursuant to Section 22001.5.
(c)CA Food And Agriculture Code § 22037(c) After notice and hearing, the secretary may cancel the registration of any unlicensed mobile slaughterer for failing to comply with Section 22001.5 or 22008.
mobile slaughter operator registration requirement unlicensed mobile slaughterer
Section § 22044
If you are a licensed cattle slaughterer, you must keep a copy of the original bill of sale, a consignment slip, or a certificate of inspection for each cow you buy, receive, or slaughter. These documents need to be kept on file in your office before you slaughter the cattle and must be retained for one year after the slaughter.
Every licensed slaughterer of cattle shall have on file in his office prior to slaughter and shall keep for one year after slaughter, the original bill of sale of cattle which are purchased by him or a consignment slip on cattle which are consigned to him or the certificate of inspection of all cattle which are slaughtered by him.
cattle slaughter licensed slaughterer bill of sale
Section § 22045
If you're a licensed slaughterhouse in situations where slaughter inspections can't happen, you need to keep detailed records about the cattle. These records should include the seller's name and details about the cattle, such as their color, age, weight, sex, and any brands they have. It's important to note that these records must be accessible for inspection by department agents or police officers.
Every licensed slaughterer that slaughters cattle where inspection prior to slaughter is impossible or impractical shall keep a record which sets forth the name of the person from whom the cattle were purchased and identifies them as to color, age, weight, sex, and brand, if any. The record shall be open to inspection by any agent of the department or peace officer.
licensed slaughterer cattle records inspection before slaughter
Section § 22046
If you are a licensed slaughterer in California and you don’t have a brand inspection before slaughtering on days you operate, and you're not getting your hides inspected during the month, you need to send in a report by the 15th of every month. This report should detail how many animals you slaughtered that month, the dates you did it, who you bought them from, when you bought them, and note the brands, sex, and breed of the animals if applicable.
Every licensed slaughterer that does not have brand inspection prior to slaughter on each day on which he slaughters, and whose hides are not inspected during the month, shall on or before the 15th day of each month mail to the bureau a written report which shows in separate columns all of the following:
(a)CA Food And Agriculture Code § 22046(a) The number of calves, cows, steers, stags, and bulls which were slaughtered during the preceding calendar month.
(b)CA Food And Agriculture Code § 22046(b) The number which he slaughtered on each date.
(c)CA Food And Agriculture Code § 22046(c) From whom the animals were purchased.
(d)CA Food And Agriculture Code § 22046(d) The date of purchase.
(e)CA Food And Agriculture Code § 22046(e) The brands on branded cattle and the sex and breed of unbranded cattle.
licensed slaughterer brand inspection written report
Section § 22047
If you have a license to slaughter cattle, you cannot let just anyone do it at your site. Only people who are also licensed to slaughter there, or their employees, are allowed to slaughter cattle at your plant.
It is unlawful for a licensed slaughterer to allow anyone to slaughter cattle at the licensee’s plant, except a person that is licensed to slaughter there or an employee of such person.
licensed slaughterer cattle slaughter rules slaughter plant regulations
Section § 22048
If a slaughterer who is licensed wishes to move to a different location, they need to inform the appropriate bureau about their new location.
If a licensed slaughterer desires to change to another location, the person shall notify the bureau of the relocation.
licensed slaughterer slaughterhouse relocation notify bureau
Section § 22049
If you have a license to slaughter cattle, you are only allowed to do it at a licensed slaughterhouse. It's illegal to slaughter cattle anywhere else.
It is unlawful for a licensed slaughterer to slaughter cattle at any place other than a slaughterhouse at which he is licensed to slaughter.
licensed slaughterer slaughterhouse cattle slaughter
