1. (a) Definition. For convenience the definition of "garbage' found in Texas Civil Statutes Article 7014f-1, §22a(8), is repeated as follows: "The term "garbage' includes all of the refuse matter, animal or vegetable, and all putrescible animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of foods containing animal carcasses or parts thereof, and all waste material by-products of a restaurant, kitchen, cookery, or slaughter house, and every refuse accumulation of animal or vegetable matter, liquid or otherwise.'

2. (b) Garbage feeding permits.

   1. (1) Present permit holders will be allowed 30 days from the effective date of these rules to comply with these rules and regulations for the feeding or garbage.
   2. (2) New permits will be issued only after a satisfactory inspection of the garbage cooking facilities to be used. Such permits, when issued, shall be valid only for the cooking facilities then in use and for the feeder in whose name the permit was issued. In the event the cooking facilities are materially altered, it will be necessary to apply for a new permit and inspection.

3. (c) Equipment.

   1. (1) Single cooking containers with 150 gallon capacity or more. Persons desiring to construct such cookers shall submit their plans and specifications to the commission for approval prior to the commencement of construction, steam injection being the method of cooking. Following the completion of construction, such equipment shall be inspected prior to use for a determination as to practical adequacy.

   2. (2) Single cooking containers with less than 150 gallon capacity.

      1. (A) The cooker shall be constructed over a fire box with the bottom of the cooker at least 15 inches above the ground. The fire box shall be constructed of thick brick, stone, or heavy gauge steel. The fire box shall have a hinged door and a smoke stack.
      2. (B) The cooker shall have a hinged lid completely covering the cooker opening.
   3. (3) A constant and uniform heat source is required (i.e., butane or fuel oil). An adequate fuel supply must be exhibited at all times.
   4. (4) The cooker must be sheltered by a roof adequate for protection in inclement weather. (This requirement does not apply to a steam cooker.)
   5. (5) A thermometer shall be supplied by the permit holder, such thermometer being a type capable of being used to determine the various temperatures throughout the cooking vessel. An internal temperature recording device is required on all cooking containers of 150 gallon capacity or over.
   6. (6) All garbage, regardless of previous processing, shall be completely heated to a temperature of at least 212%A1F., and such temperature shall be maintained for at least 30 minutes before the garbage is fed. This procedure may be varied only upon express, written permission from the commission.
   7. (7) Cooking on a kitchen or restaurant stove is prohibited.
   8. (8) If feeding platforms are used, there must be watertight platform space of at least three square feet for each hog to be fed.
   9. (9) If troughs are used, at lease one linear foot must be supplied for each hog to be fed.
   10. (10) In order to prevent the drainage of fluids from the cooking area into hog pens, adequate drainage shall be installed and maintained.
   11. (11) Containers used to transport or store garbage shall be closed and sufficiently sealed to prevent access by rodents or insects. These containers shall be kept clean and free from accumulations of grease or foreign matter.

4. (d) Premises.

   1. (1) Garbage shall be cooked within 24 hours from time of arrival at cooking area. Excess garbage shall be removed from the premises, and is not to remain on the premises over 36 hours. Unused, excess, or spoiled garbage shall be buried or burned and shall under no circumstances be poured or dumped in the feeding or cooking area.
   2. (2) Containers, equipment (including clothing), and personnel used in the handling of raw garbage should not be permitted to come in contact with the swine or swine feeding area. All cooking operations shall be conducted in a clean and sanitary manner. At no time shall food wastes, rubbish, boxes, crates, or salvage material be allowed to accumulate in the cooking area.
   3. (3) The premises are to be sprayed a minimum of one time each week, with a commission-approved spray, for fly control during the seasons that flies are active. Effective rodent control measures shall be used.
   4. (4) The cooker shall be separated from any feeding area by a hog tight fence. The cooker must be located in an area not accessible to swine, other livestock or poultry. Raw garbage must not be transported through the hot lot in order to reach the cooker.

5. (e) Records.

   1. (1) A definite schedule for cooking garbage shall be established and filed with the commission representative. Such schedule shall reflect days and times of day that the cooker will be in operation. A change in the schedule may be effected by notifying the Texas Animal Health Commission inspection in charge of the local area.
   2. (2) The permit holder shall maintain a daily log reflecting the amount of garbage collected, the sources of such garbage, the date it was cooked, the time of day cooked, the maximum temperature reached and the length of time cooked. The daily log form may be obtained by application to the commission at its offices in Austin, or to the local area Texas Animal Health Commission Inspector.

Source Note:The provisions of this §55.3 adopted to be effective January 1, 1976.