Food and Agricultural Code, 1967

Cities and counties may regulate electrified fences, including requiring permits, but they may not allow fences that fail to meet the chapter’s requirements.

The director may make necessary investigations into reported violations of this part.

A person may not mark, brand, alter, or deface certain livestock, or their brands or marks, when acting with intent to steal the animal or stop the true owner from identifying it.

A person may not mark, brand, alter, or deface the brand or mark on certain livestock when doing so with intent to steal the animal or prevent the true owner from identifying it.

It is unlawful for any person to mark a bovine animal by cutting off more than half of its ear.

A violation of Section 17551 is punishable by imprisonment under Penal Code Section 1170(h).

A violation of any provision in this part is a misdemeanor, unless Section 17701 provides otherwise.

A person who violates this part or its regulations is civilly liable for up to $500 for each violation.

The Attorney General may file a civil penalty action against a person who violates this part, either after a complaint by the director or on the Attorney General’s own initiative if a violation is believed to have occurred.

The Attorney General may bring an injunction action in superior court against a violator, on the director’s complaint or on the Attorney General’s own initiative. The director does not have to plead lack of an adequate legal remedy or irreparable harm.

Money in the Department of Agriculture Fund derived under this chapter may be used to administer and enforce Section 16461 and related provisions of the code.

If a person selling a commodity is shown to possess it, that fact creates a rebuttable presumption that the commodity is for sale.

The director may make any necessary investigations into reported violations of this part.

The department has the Bureau of Meat and Poultry Inspection.

The Attorney General may bring an injunction action against a person who is violating this part or a regulation issued under it, based on a complaint from the director or on the Attorney General’s own initiative if the evidence suggests a violation. The director does not have to allege lack of an adequate legal remedy or irreparable harm.

This section says the definitions in this article control how this chapter is read, unless the context requires otherwise.

This section defines “packer” as a person engaged in buying livestock for slaughter, or in making meat, meat food products, or livestock products for sale or shipment in commerce.