The commissioner shall develop a Maine cattle health assurance program to ensure the highest quality of products by encouraging all livestock producers in this State to use best management practices. The department shall develop a farm assessment plan that provides for on-site evaluations of farms to assess and suggest ways to improve the health of herds, protect the health and safety of herds from disease and protect farms from environmental liability. [PL 2003, c. 386, §2 (NEW).]

The commissioner in consultation with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, state and federal veterinarians and livestock producers in this State shall adopt rules for the administration of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2?A. [PL 2003, c. 386, §2 (NEW).]