§ 96-x. Declaration of policy and purposes. The use as food of meat
or meat products derived from dead, dying, disabled, diseased or
condemned animals endangers the health and welfare of the people of the
state. The powers of seizure, quarantine and condemnation held and
exercised by the department tend to suppress but do not constitute
adequate controls to prevent such adulterated and unfit meat and meat
products from being sold for consumption. It is hereby declared to be a
matter of legislative determination that regulation and supervision of
those who deal in, handle, transport, process or dispose of such animals
and the products therefrom are needed in the public interest, and that
in the exercise of the police power such persons be required to be
licensed before engaging in such activities and that such activities be
regulated and supervised. The general purpose of this article is to
protect the public health, safety and welfare by controlling the use,
movement and disposition of dead, dying, disabled, diseased, or
condemned animals, and the meat and meat products derived therefrom.