- A. Any establishment that receives voluntary exotic inspection services may appeal or dispute any decision made by an inspector in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Chapter.
- B. If an establishment disputes any decision made by any inspector in the program, such establishment shall first make its objections known to the inspector.
- C. If the establishment and the inspector cannot resolve the dispute, the establishment shall immediately notify the area supervisor of the dispute and the basis for the dispute.
- D. If the dispute cannot be resolved by conference with the area supervisor, the establishment shall then notify the department's program manager of the meat and poultry inspection program within three business days after the conference. Such notification may be verbal but shall be confirmed in writing within three days after the verbal notification.
- E. If the establishment and the program manager cannot resolve the dispute, the establishment may petition the commissioner, in writing, for a resolution of the dispute within three business days after the program manager makes his decision.
- F. The commissioner may appoint a designee to mediate the dispute.
- G. If the mediation is unsuccessful or if the commissioner determines that a public hearing is necessary to resolve the dispute, the commissioner may set a public hearing before a hearing officer to resolve the dispute. Any public hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. The hearing officer shall make recommendations to the commissioner. The commissioner may adopt the recommendations of the hearing officer or issue a written determination of his own.
- H. Any decision by the commissioner is final and may be appealable as provided in the Administrative Procedure Act.
Authority Note
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:4215.
Historical Note
HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Animal Health and Food Safety, LR 51:780 (June 2025).