(a) The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is hereby designated as the State agency which shall be responsible for cooperating with the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States under the provisions of section 301 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and such agency is directed to cooperate with the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States in developing and administering the meat inspection program of this State under this and the previous Article in such a manner as will effectuate the purposes of this and the previous Article.

(b) In such cooperative efforts, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is authorized to accept from said Secretary advisory assistance in planning and otherwise developing the State program, technical and laboratory assistance and training (including necessary curricular and instructional materials and equipment), and financial and other aid for administration of such a program.

(c) The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is further authorized to recommend to the said Secretary of Agriculture such officials or employees of this State as the Commissioner shall designate, for appointment to the advisory committees provided for in Section 301 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act; and the Commissioner or his authorized representative shall serve as the representative of the Governor for consultation with said Secretary under paragraph (c) of Section 301 of said act. (1969, c. 893, s. 15; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1014, s. 155(a); 1997-261, s. 59.)