02 NCAC 52E .0203          FACILITIES FOR HANDLING LIVESTOCK

Proper facilities for handling, segregating, holding and sale of livestock shall meet the following minimum requirements:

(1)           Facilities for Handling Breeder and/or Feeder Swine. Alleys and pens shall have properly drained floors of concrete or other impervious material approved by the State Veterinarian or his authorized representative. The alleys shall lead directly from unloading docks to such pens and shall be used by all feeder and/or breeder swine offered for sale.

(2)           Facilities for Handling Slaughter Swine. When slaughter swine are sold on the same day that feeder and/or breeder swine are sold, separate facilities shall be provided for slaughter swine including unloading docks, alleys and pens. Alleys shall lead directly from unloading docks to pens so that slaughter swine shall not come in contact with facilities used by feeder and/or breeder swine.

(3)           Maintenance of Floors Required by this Rule. All floors of concrete or other impervious material referred to or required in these Regulations shall be free of holes, cracks or depressions and shall be properly drained and reasonably smooth so that they can be easily cleaned and disinfected. All other floors shall be properly drained, free of holes and depressions and maintained in such a manner that they can be readily cleaned and kept in a sanitary manner.

(4)           Facilities for Handling Livestock Other Than Swine. Sufficient unloading and loading docks, alleys and pens shall be provided for yarding livestock in a safe and humane manner. Docks, alleys and pens shall be constructed in such manner so that they drain properly and may be cleaned and/or disinfected as deemed necessary by the State Veterinarian or his authorized representative.

(5)           Holding Pens and Restraining Chutes. Sufficient holding pens and restraining chutes suitable for restraining animals for testing, tagging, branding and other procedures required in providing livestock inspection service at stockyards shall be provided and maintained in a manner acceptable to the State Veterinarian at each public livestock market selling cattle.

(6)           Laboratory Facility. All public livestock markets selling cattle shall provide laboratory space for conducting brucellosis tests acceptable to the State Veterinarian or his authorized representative. The laboratory shall be constructed so as to provide privacy for the person or persons conducting the brucellosis tests. It shall be constructed and equipped so as to provide adequate ventilation, lighting, heating, and cooling. Refrigeration for brucellosis testing supplies and water with facilities for washing testing equipment shall be readily available. Unauthorized persons shall not have access to this facility.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 106‑408; 106‑416;

Eff. April 1, 1984;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. March 26, 2017.