ARTICLE 1. Requirements, Generally [21051. - 21070.]

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC 1.
in effect

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21051. Section 21051.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, cattle shall be inspected as follows: (a) Whenever cattle are sold or ownership is transferred. (b) Prior to movement out of any designated modified point-of-origin inspection area, for purposes other than sale or slaughter and no change of ownership is involved, as provided in Section 21111. (c) Prior to movement out of the state. (d) Upon entry into a registered feedlot. (e) Prior to slaughter. (f) Prior to release or sale from a public stockyard, public saleyard, or public or private cattle sales market. (g) Prior to release from a posted stockyard or posted saleyard. (h) Prior to transportation out of a full point-of-origin area, as provided in Section 21141. (i) Prior to transportation or movement from premises designated as quarantine, restriction, or isolated areas pursuant to Section 9565.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21051.3. Section 21051.3.

(a) Any person who moves or transports any animal without inspection, as required by this chapter, is liable to the director for a civil penalty in the amount of the expenses incurred by the director to investigate and prosecute the violation and, if the violation involved the unlawful taking of animals, the expenses incurred by the director to recover and return the animal or animals to their owner. (b) If the director finds that a violation of subdivision (a) has occurred, he or she shall calculate the amount of the civil penalty and make demand for payment within 30 days thereof. The respondent may deny liability in whole or in part, in which case the director shall set the matter for hearing before a hearing officer of the department or, at the director’s discretion, pursuant to Section 11502 of the Government Code. The hearing procedure under this subdivision shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. (c) The respondent may petition for judicial review of the director’s determination to assess a civil penalty pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure by filing an action within 30 days of the date of service of the director’s decision. (d) The civil penalty in this section is in addition to any other civil or criminal penalties provided by law. (e) Any funds collected pursuant to this section shall be paid into the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21051.4. Section 21051.4.

(a) In addition to any other penalty provided by this chapter, the director may levy a civil penalty against any person who violates this chapter of an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for each violation. (b) Before a civil penalty is levied, the person who is charged with a violation shall be provided a notice of the violation, shall have an opportunity to be heard, and shall have the right to review the evidence and to present evidence on his or her behalf. (c) The decision of the director may be reviewed pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (d) The director shall deposit the funds collected pursuant to this section in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund for expenditure as authorized by this division.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21051.5. Section 21051.5.

When brand inspection is not required under Section 21051, any person, upon his request, shall receive brand inspection of cattle. Any such person who requests the inspection shall pay to the director a time and mileage charge established by the director to equal the cost of providing such an inspection. Nothing in this section shall exempt any person from any other inspection requirements for the same cattle at any later time under Section 21051, nor shall such a person be exempt from any statutory inspection fees provided for by this division.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21051.6. Section 21051.6.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, for five years following the date of conviction, a person convicted of Section 487a of the Penal Code shall submit to an inspection for any cattle in his or her ownership or care prior to any movement, transportation, or change in ownership. (b) A person required to submit to an inspection pursuant to this section shall pay to the secretary a fee, as established by the secretary, for the costs incurred, including the cost of time and mileage, in performing the inspection. (c) A person required to submit to an inspection who violates a provision of this section shall be charged a civil penalty by the secretary of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per animal required to be inspected.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21052. Section 21052.

It is unlawful for any person who owns or has custody of cattle to move, slaughter, release, sell, or receive at a registered feedlot that cattle without the inspection that is required by Section 21051. For the purposes of this section, a common carrier which transports cattle does not have custody of the cattle.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21053. Section 21053.

Inspection is not required prior to transportation from a modified point-of-origin inspection area, or prior to movement if being sold, if the cattle are being moved or shipped direct to one of the following destinations: (a) A registered feedlot in this state. (b) A licensed slaughterhouse in this state. (c) A public salesyard or public cattle sales market in this state that is licensed pursuant to Section 21733 or posted by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Packers and Stockyards Act. All cattle shipped without inspection prior to transportation under this section shall be inspected at the destination point.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21054. Section 21054.

Inspection is not required in cases where cattle are being transported to or from a fair or livestock exhibit within the state’s boundaries if the shipment is accompanied by a certificate of the manager or an official of the fair or exhibit, which shows all of the following: (a) Any brands and marks. (b) The names of the shipper and consignee. (c) The point of origin and destination of the shipment. (d) Proof of ownership as defined in Section 16522.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21055. Section 21055.

Inspection is not required prior to slaughter by licensed slaughterers at slaughterhouses where the chief determines it is impossible or impractical to have inspection prior to slaughter. The chief shall, from time to time, designate which slaughterhouses are within this category. Slaughterers at such slaughterhouses shall keep the records which are required by Section 22045. They shall also keep the hides of animals which are so slaughtered until the hides are inspected or released.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21056. Section 21056.

Inspection is not required prior to slaughter of an animal by the producer of the animal pursuant to Section 22002. The hides of such animals shall, however, be retained as provided in Section 21455 and records shall be kept as provided in Section 22008.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21057. Section 21057.

Except as provided in Section 21206, inspection is not required prior to slaughter at a licensed slaughterhouse when the cattle are being shipped direct from one of the following: (a) A registered feedlot in this state. (b) A public salesyard or cattle sales market in this state that is licensed pursuant to Section 21733 or posted by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 181 et seq.). (c) Out-of-state when accompanied by proper documents.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21058. Section 21058.

All cattle shipped pursuant to Section 21057 shall be accompanied by one of the following: (a) A bill of sale on an approved form giving the date of sale, the loading point, the name and address of the owner or consignor or both, the destination, the number of animals, the certificate number on which the animals were inspected into the feedlot, the lot number, if any, the name and address of the buyer, the name of the transporter or carrier and the license number of the vehicle used to transport the animals, and the signature of the owner or his or her authorized agent. (b) A saleyard invoice meeting the requirements of Sections 21744 and 21745. (c) A certificate of consignment on an approved form giving the date of sale, the loading point, the name and address of the owner or consignor or both, the destination, the number of animals, the certificate number on which the animals were inspected into the feedlot, the lot number, if any, the name and address of the buyer, the name of the transporter or carrier and the license number of the vehicle used to transport the animals, and the signature of the owner or his or her authorized agent. (d) A brand inspection certificate or, for states with no inspection, a bill of sale or health certificate.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21059. Section 21059.

Inspection is not required for pasture-to-pasture movement in the following cases: (a) When the cattle are moved or transported only between points in the same modified point-of-origin inspection area. (b) When the cattle are moved or transported across a modified point-of-origin inspection area boundary which bisects the ranch or property of the owner and shipper of the cattle. (c) When cattle are moved or transported only between points within a full point-of-origin area. (d) When cattle are moved or transported across a modified point-of-origin inspection area boundary in accordance with regulations adopted by the director which specifically allow the cattle to move under a permit for a distance not to exceed 40 miles from loading point to destination. The director may establish a fee for the permit for a 12-month period. The permit fee shall not exceed two hundred dollars ($200). (e) When female cattle of the dairy breeds are moved or transported from one grazing or pasture area to another grazing or pasture area and the areas are owned or controlled by the same person. However, this movement shall be accompanied by a certificate of ownership or other proof of ownership document. The provisions of subdivision (i) of Section 21051 shall take precedence over this section. This section does not apply to cattle entering a registered feedlot.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21060. Section 21060.

Inspection is not required in cases where the cattle being moved or transported are dairy calves, and such calves meet all of the following classifications: (a) The calves were born on a dairy farm as defined in Section 32505. (b) The calves were born to cows of a recognized dairy breed. (c) The umbilical cord is still a part of, and attached to, the navel of the calf. (d) The calves will not be moved or transported: (1) Out of the state. (2) To a licensed slaughterhouse in this state. (3) To a public saleyard or public cattle sale market in this state that is licensed pursuant to Section 21733 or posted by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 (7 U.S.C. 201 et seq.). Nothing in this section shall prohibit any inspector or peace officer from inspecting any calves when such inspection is necessary in accordance with the provisions of Sections 20432, 20435, 20436, and 20438.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21060.4. Section 21060.4.

(a) Inspection is not required in cases where cattle are sold or ownership is transferred under all of the following circumstances: (1) The individual or entity with a controlling interest in the cattle remains unchanged. (2) The cattle will not be moved out of state or out of a modified point-of-origin inspection area. (3) The cattle are associated with either a registered brand or dairy exemption number. (b) All persons who have ownership in the cattle, including both the transferor and the transferee, shall, within 30 days of ownership transfer, self-certify, under penalty of perjury, to the department as to their ownership in the cattle on a form prescribed by the department. (c) The department may charge a fee to cover the reasonable costs of processing the form identified in subdivision (b), but the fee shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50) or the department’s actual costs of conducting these activities. (d) An owner of cattle that is otherwise exempt from inspection pursuant to this section may elect to have that cattle inspected pursuant to Section 21051. (e) A violation of this section shall be subject to the penalties described in Section 21051.3.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21060.7. Section 21060.7.

It is unlawful for any person to move or transport any calves exempt from inspection pursuant to Section 21060 without preparing the bill of sale or consignment that is required by Sections 21702 and 21703. Such bill of sale or consignment shall accompany the calves and be retained by the receiver of the calves for at least one year, and such documents shall be presented to any inspector or peace officer upon demand.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21061. Section 21061.

The director may make regulations which govern the brand inspection of cattle and hides at slaughterhouses. The regulations may provide for an inspection schedule at each slaughterhouse and include provision for inspection in addition to the basic inspection schedule. Additional inspection services shall be provided on a reimbursement basis at the expense of the slaughterer requesting the additional service and shall not be an added charge to the consignor or seller of the livestock. The fees for the additional service shall be established by regulation.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21062. Section 21062.

All cattle shipped to a registered feedlot, licensed slaughterhouse, or licensed or posted livestock salesyard or market in this state for inspection at destination pursuant to this chapter shall be accompanied by a bill of sale, or certificate of consignment. The original document shall be presented to the inspector prior to the inspection of the cattle.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21064. Section 21064.

A copy of the document required by Section 21062 shall be kept on file in the office of the registered feedlot, licensed slaughterhouse, or salesyard or market for a period of one year after the transaction.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21066. Section 21066.

Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (h) of Section 21051, all cattle transported within the state for pasture or feeding purposes with no change in ownership shall be accompanied by a certificate of consignment which contains the information specified in Section 21703.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21067. Section 21067.

(a) The chief may issue an annual permit to allow cattle to be transported out of this state without the brand inspection required pursuant to this article under all of the following conditions: (1) The cattle are moved for pasture purposes. (2) The cattle are moved a distance of not more than 50 miles from the point of origin to the point of destination. (3) There is no change of ownership of the cattle. (b) The department may charge a fee to cover its costs in issuing and renewing the annual permit. The fee may not exceed one hundred dollars ($100). (c) The chief may, at any time, revoke a permit and require a brand inspection if he or she determines that this action is necessary to enforce this division.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21068. Section 21068.

(a) The secretary may issue a special permit to allow cattle to be transported out-of-state directly for immediate slaughter only, without the brand inspection required pursuant to this article, if all of the following conditions exist: (1) The cattle were inspected previously in a registered feedlot. (2) The cattle are transported to a licensed slaughterer. (3) The cattle are accompanied by a permit document issued by the secretary. (b) The secretary may charge a fee to cover the costs of issuing or renewing an annual permit. The fee may not exceed one hundred dollars ($100). (c) The secretary may, at any time, revoke the permit and require a brand inspection if the secretary determines that this action is necessary to enforce this division.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21069. Section 21069.

(a) The director may issue an annual release permit to allow cattle to be transported into another state without brand inspection if all of the following conditions exist: (1) The state of destination is contiguous to California and it has entered into an inspection agreement with California. (2) The shipping point is not more than 50 miles from the destination. (3) The cattle are transported to a public posted stockyard or saleyard. (4) The cattle are accompanied by a permit document issued by the director. (b) The director may charge a fee to cover the cost of issuing or renewing the permit in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100). (c) The director may, at any time, revoke the permit and require brand inspection if the director determines that this action is necessary to carry out the enforcement of this chapter.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 21070. Section 21070.

(a) The secretary may issue an annual exhibition permit to allow cattle to be transported out of the state during the permit year without the inspection required pursuant to this article, if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The cattle are inspected before issuance of the permit. (2) The cattle are only moved for exhibition purposes. (3) There is no change in ownership of the cattle. (4) The cattle return to the state of origin. (5) The cattle have an official form of identification. (b) The department may charge a fee to cover its costs in issuing and renewing the annual exhibition permit. The fee shall not exceed ten dollars ($10) per head. (c) The department shall accept the exhibition permits of other states and allow cattle to return to their state of origin under those permits without an inspection. (d) The secretary may, at any time, revoke an exhibition permit if the chief determines that this action is necessary to enforce this division.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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