(a) The department is the state agency responsible for cooperating with the United States Secretary of Agriculture under Section 301, Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. § 661), and Section 5, Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. § 454).
(b) The department shall cooperate with the secretary of agriculture in developing and administering the meat and poultry inspection program of this state under this chapter in a manner that will achieve the purposes of this chapter and federal law and that will ensure that the requirements will be at least equal to those imposed under Titles I and IV, Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. Sections 601 et seq. and 671 et seq.), and Sections 1-4, 6-10, and 12-22, Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. Sections 451-453, 455-459, and 461-467d), not later than the dates prescribed by federal law.