The commissioner shall, so far as possible, prevent the introduction and spread of contagious, infectious and parasitic diseases, and exposure thereto, among domestic animals in the State, especially those diseases transmitted to man, either directly or indirectly, and those of greatest economic importance.

The commissioner shall cause investigation and diagnosis to be made by approved methods as to the existence of contagious, infectious and parasitic diseases among domestic animals in the State, and the commissioner may enter any premises, buildings or places, including stockyards, cars, trucks, planes and vessels within any county or part of the State in or at which the commissioner has reason to believe there exists any such disease, and make such investigation, diagnosis or diagnostic tests as to the existence of disease that the commissioner may consider necessary. [PL 2001, c. 572, §26 (AMD).]

The commissioner shall formulate and apply programs for the control or eradication of any diseases or pathogens as required by the United States Department of Agriculture and any other diseases or pathogens the commissioner considers necessary or practicable to control or eradicate so far as funds are available. [PL 2001, c. 572, §26 (AMD).]