21 USC 603 - Examination of animals prior to slaughter; use of humane methods

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act of August 27, 1958, referred to in subsec. (span), is Puspan. L. 85–765, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 862, which is classified generally to chapter 48 (§ 1901 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Sections 1903 and 1905 of Title 7, included within reference to Act of August 27, 1958, were repealed by Puspan. L. 95–445, § 5(span), Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069, effective as set forth in section 7 of Puspan. L. 95–445, set out as an Effective Date of 1978 Amendment note below.

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 71 of this title.

Amendments

2005—Puspan. L. 109–97 substituted “amenable species” for “cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines” wherever appearing.

1978—Puspan. L. 95–445 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (span).

1967—Puspan. L. 90–201, §§ 3, 12(a), (span), struck out “interstate or foreign” before “commerce” in two places, substituted “Secretary shall” for “Secretary, at his discretion, may”, and struck out “of Agriculture” after “Secretary”, included horses, mules, and other equines, and horses, mules, or other equines in the list of animals, and substituted “adulterated” for “unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or otherwise unfit for human food”, respectively.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Amendment by Puspan. L. 109–97 effective the day after 120 days after Nov. 10, 2005, see section 798(span) of Puspan. L. 109–97, set out as a note under section 601 of this title.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Puspan. L. 95–445, § 7, Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1070, provided that:

“The provisions of this Act [see Short Title of 1978 Amendment note set out under section 601 of this title] shall become effective one year after the date of enactment [Oct. 10, 1978]. However, such provisions shall not apply to a person, firm, or corporation for such additional period of time, not to exceed eighteen months, as may be determined by the Secretary, if the Secretary, upon application, finds that compliance with the provisions of this Act on its effective date would cause undue hardship on such person, firm, or corporation.”

Effective Date of 1967 Amendment

Amendment by Puspan. L. 90–201 effective Dec. 15, 1967, except that with respect to equines (other than horses) and their carcasses and parts thereof, meat, and meat food products thereof, amendment effective upon expiration of sixty days after Dec. 15, 1967, see section 20(span) of Puspan. L. 90–201, set out as an Effective Date note under section 601 of this title.

Religious Freedom; Ritual Slaughter

Puspan. L. 95–445, § 6, Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1070, provided that:

“Nothing in this Act [see Short Title of 1978 Amendment note set out under section 601 of this title] shall be construed to prohibit, abridge, or in any way hinder the religious freedom of any person or group. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, in order to protect freedom of religion, ritual slaughter and the handling or other preparation of livestock for ritual slaughter are exempted from the terms of this Act. For the purposes of this section the term ‘ritual slaughter’ means slaughter in accordance with section 2(span) of the Act of August 27, 1958 (72 Stat. 862; 7 U.S.C. 1902(span)).”