Chapter 95

95.71(1)(e) (e) “Animal trucker” means a person engaged in the business of transporting for hire, by means of an animal transport vehicle, livestock and wild animals, except that “animal trucker” does not include an animal trucker employee.

95.71(1)(f) (f) “Animal trucker employee” means the employee of a person who holds an animal trucker license if the employee, in the name of the licensed animal trucker, operates an animal transport vehicle which is registered by the animal trucker and on which the name and the business address of the licensed animal trucker are prominently displayed.

95.71(1)(h) (h) “Livestock” has the meaning given in s. 95.68 (1) (d).

95.71(1)(i) (i) “Wild animal” has the meaning given in s. 95.68 (1) (g).

95.71(2) (2) License. No person may operate as an animal trucker without an annual license issued by the department. An animal trucker license authorizes an animal trucker to operate only those animal transport vehicles that are registered by the animal trucker under sub. (4). A license expires on June 30 annually. An animal trucker license is not transferable.

95.71(3) (3) Application. An application for an animal trucker license under sub. (2) shall be made on a form provided by the department. The application shall include information reasonably required by the department for licensing purposes. As part of the application, the applicant shall register every animal transport vehicle operated by the applicant as provided under sub. (4). An application shall be accompanied by the applicable fees and surcharges required under subs. (5) and (6).

95.71(4) (4) Animal transport vehicle registration. No animal trucker may operate an animal transport vehicle unless the animal transport vehicle is registered with the department in the name of the animal trucker. The animal transport vehicle shall be registered on a form provided by the department. The registration shall include a description and the serial number of the animal transport vehicle.

95.71(5) (5) License fee; registration fee; reinspection fee.

95.71(5)(a) (a) The department shall, by rule, specify the fee for an animal trucker license issued under this section.

95.71(5)(b) (b) The department shall, by rule, specify the fee to be paid for each animal transport vehicle registered under sub. (4). If during any license year an animal trucker registers an animal transport vehicle that was not registered with the animal trucker’s annual license application under sub. (3), the animal trucker shall pay the fee required under this paragraph at the time of registration.

95.71(5)(c) (c)

95.71(5)(c)1. 1. If the department reinspects an animal trucker operation because the department has found a violation of this chapter or rules promulgated under this chapter, the department shall charge the animal trucker the reinspection fee specified under subd. 2.

95.71(5)(c)2. 2. The department shall specify the reinspection fee to be charged under subd. 1. by rule. The reinspection fee may not exceed the reasonable costs to reinspect the animal trucker operation. The department may specify different reinspection fees for different animal trucker operations.

95.71(5)(c)3. 3. A reinspection fee under this paragraph is payable when the reinspection is completed, and is due upon written demand from the department. The department may issue a demand for payment when it issues a license renewal application form to the animal trucker.

95.71(6) (6) Surcharge and past fees.

95.71(6)(a) (a) An applicant for an animal trucker license shall pay a license fee surcharge of $100 if the department determines that within 365 days prior to submitting the license application the applicant did any of the following:

95.71(6)(a)1. 1. Operated as an animal trucker without a license in violation of sub. (2).

95.71(6)(a)1m. 1m. Operated as a livestock trucker, as defined in s. 95.71 (1) (e), 1999 stats., without a license in violation of s. 95.71 (2), 1999 stats.

95.71(6)(a)2. 2. Operated an unregistered animal transport vehicle in violation of sub. (4).

95.71(6)(a)2m. 2m. Operated an unregistered livestock vehicle, as defined in s. 95.71 (1) (g), 1999 stats., in violation of s. 95.71 (4), 1999 stats.

95.71(6)(b) (b) In addition to the surcharge under par. (a), an applicant for a license under sub. (2) shall pay the fees due for the year in which the applicant was in violation.

95.71(6)(c) (c) The payment of the surcharge and fees under this subsection does not relieve the applicant of other civil or criminal liability that may result from the failure to obtain a license or to register a vehicle but does not constitute evidence of a violation of a law.

95.71(7) (7) License contingent on fees. The department may not issue or renew a license under sub. (2) unless the license applicant pays all fees and surcharges that are due under subs. (5) and (6). The department shall refund a fee or surcharge paid under protest if the department determines that the fee or surcharge was not due as a condition of licensing under this section. If a fee or surcharge is paid by check, a license issued in reliance upon that check is void if the check is not honored.

95.71(8) (8) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to regulate animal truckers, including rules related to animal trucker qualifications, construction and maintenance of animal transport vehicles, identification of animal transport vehicles, disease sanitation, humane treatment of animals, identification of animals, record keeping, reports to the department and compliance with applicable financial security requirements under state or federal law.

95.71(9) (9) Penalties. A person conducting a business regulated by this section after revocation of his or her license shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 or imprisoned not to exceed 6 months or both.

95.71 History History: 1993 a. 16; 2001 a. 56, 105; 2009 a. 28.

95.71 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. ATCP 12, Wis. adm. code.

95.715 95.715 Feed lots and veal lots.

95.715(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

95.715(1)(a) (a) “Feeder cattle” means bovine animals that are kept for the sole purpose of feeding prior to slaughter, that are not more than 18 months old as evidenced by the absence of permanent teeth and that are one of the following:

95.715(1)(a)1. 1. Nonspayed females that are not parturient or postparturient.

95.715(1)(a)2. 2. Spayed heifers.

95.715(1)(a)3. 3. Steers.

95.715(1)(b) (b) “Feed lot” means a facility at which feeder cattle are assembled for feeding prior to slaughter.

95.715(1)(c) (c) “Veal calf” means a bovine animal of either sex that is not more than 120 days old and that is kept for the sole purpose of feeding prior to slaughter for veal.

95.715(1)(d) (d) “Veal lot” means a facility at which veal calves are assembled for feeding prior to slaughter.

95.715(2) (2) Approved feed lot.

95.715(2)(a) (a) The department may issue an annual permit designating a feed lot as an approved feed lot. A feed lot operator is not required to hold an approved feed lot permit.

95.715(2)(b) (b) If a person imports feeder cattle directly to an approved feed lot in this state, the department may by rule exempt that person from import rules and preimport testing rules promulgated by the department that apply to persons who import feeder cattle into this state.

95.715(2)(c) (c) Unless specifically authorized by the department, no person may remove feeder cattle or cattle commingled with feeder cattle from an approved feed lot except to a slaughtering establishment for slaughter.

95.715(2)(d) (d) The department may promulgate rules to specify permit fees under par. (a) and to regulate feed lots. The rules may include requirements related to the construction and maintenance of approved feed lots, the segregation of imported feeder cattle and record-keeping requirements related to feeder cattle.

95.715(3) (3) Approved veal lot.

95.715(3)(a) (a) The department may issue an annual permit designating a veal lot as an approved veal lot. A veal lot operator is not required to hold an approved veal lot permit.

95.715(3)(b) (b) If a person imports veal calves directly to an approved veal lot in this state, the department may by rule exempt that person from import rules and preimport testing rules promulgated by the department that apply to persons who import veal calves into this state.

95.715(3)(c) (c) Unless specifically authorized by the department, no person may remove veal calves or cattle commingled with veal calves from an approved veal lot except to a slaughtering establishment for slaughter.

95.715(3)(d) (d) The department may promulgate rules to regulate approved veal lots. The rules may include requirements related to the construction and maintenance of approved veal lots, the segregation of imported veal calves and record-keeping requirements related to veal calves.

95.715 History History: 1993 a. 16.

95.715 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. ATCP 12, Wis. adm. code.

95.72 95.72 Transportation, processing and disposal of dead animals.

95.72(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

95.72(1)(a) (a) “Animal food processor” means a person, other than a renderer, engaged in the business of slaughtering animals or collecting or receiving dead animals in a raw or uncooked state for processing into animal food.

95.72(1)(b) (b) “Collector” means a person engaged only in the business of collecting or receiving dead animals for sale or delivery to a renderer, animal food processor, grease processor or operator of a fur farm and who does not otherwise process the dead animals.

95.72(1)(c) (c) “Dead animal”:

95.72(1)(c)1. 1. Means any dead animal or part of a dead animal other than an animal slaughtered as food for humans.

95.72(1)(c)2. 2. Means an animal slaughtered as food for humans but which becomes unsuitable as food for humans.

95.72(1)(c)3. 3. Includes animals slaughtered or processed as food for animals and all inedible parts and by-products of animals slaughtered or processed as food for humans.

95.72(1)(c)4. 4. Does not include commercial feed as defined under s. 94.72 (1) (b) or fully rendered products of dead animals.

95.72(1)(cm) (cm) “Grease processor” means any person engaged in the business of collecting or receiving and melting or refining previously cooked materials containing dead animal fat or tallow or a combination of dead animal fat or tallow and vegetable oil to produce grease.

95.72(1)(d) (d) “Renderer” means a person engaged in the business of collecting or receiving dead animals for rendering or processing into grease or other products.

95.72(1)(e) (e) “Rendering or processing plant” means a plant or facility for slaughtering animals or collecting dead animals and rendering or processing them to produce grease or other products or a plant or facility for collecting or receiving and melting or refining previously cooked materials containing dead animal fat or tallow or a combination of dead animal fat or tallow and vegetable oil to produce grease.

95.72(2) (2) Licenses; fees.

95.72(2)(a) (a) Requirement. Except as provided in par. (b), no person may engage in the business of collecting or processing dead animals as a renderer, animal food processor, grease processor or collector unless the person pays a license fee and is issued an annual license by the department for that specific type of business operation.

95.72(2)(b) (b) Exemptions.

95.72(2)(b)1. 1. A license is not required for a person who operates a slaughtering establishment licensed under s. 97.42 or inspected under the federal meat and poultry inspection acts if the establishment renders or disposes of offal or dead animals resulting from its operations only, but a person who operates a slaughtering establishment is subject to the transportation requirements under sub. (7) (b).

95.72(2)(b)2. 2. A license is not required for a person who operates a fur farm which collects or receives dead animals as food for fur-bearing animals produced by the fur farm, but a person who operates a fur farm is subject to transportation requirements under sub. (7) (b) and (c).

95.72(2)(b)3. 3. A license is not required for a person who is engaged solely in the collection or disposal of public or commercial garbage without the separate collection or retrieval of dead animals or dead animal parts for further sale, use or processing.

95.72(2)(b)4. 4. A license is not required for a person who collects or receives individual animal parts exclusively for the manufacture of glue, gelatin, pharmaceuticals or other specialty products.

95.72(2)(b)5. 5. A license is not required for a person who collects, receives or processes hides.

95.72(2)(b)6. 6. An animal food processor, grease processor or collector license is not required for a person who is licensed as a renderer.

95.72(2)(b)7. 7. A grease processor or collector license is not required for a person who is licensed as an animal food processor.

95.72(2)(b)8. 8. A collector license is not required for a person who is licensed as a grease processor.

95.72(2)(b)9. 9. A renderer or animal food processor license is not required for a person who is licensed as a grease processor if he or she does not render or process dead animals other than incidental solid animal parts that are commingled with previously cooked materials containing dead animal fat or tallow or a combination of dead animal fat or tallow and vegetable oil.

95.72(2)(c) (c) Application; fees; expiration; renewal.

95.72(2)(c)1. 1. An applicant for a license shall submit a completed application form prescribed by the department which states the type of operation for which a license is desired, the business or plant location where operations are to be conducted and other information required by the department.

95.72(2)(c)2. 2. An applicant for a license as a renderer, grease processor or an animal food processor shall submit a fee of $200 for each separate plant where processing operations are to be conducted, and an applicant for an initial license shall submit the inspection fee required under par. (e).

95.72(2)(c)3. 3. An applicant for a license as a collector shall submit a fee of $100 for each separate business location from which operations are to be conducted.

95.72(2)(c)4. 4. Each license expires on February 28.

95.72(2)(c)5. 5. Subject to s. 93.135, a person may renew a license by submitting the required license fee and renewal form.

95.72(2)(d) (d) Issuance; standards. The department may not issue a license unless the applicant’s plant or business location is suitably located, constructed and equipped for the type of operation for which a license is required, all vehicles, facilities and equipment are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and all processing and other operations are conducted in compliance with this section and rules promulgated under sub. (5).

95.72(2)(e) (e) Inspection; fee. An applicant for an initial license as a renderer, grease processor or animal food processor shall submit an inspection fee of $25 for each separate plant to be operated by the applicant. The department may grant a temporary permit pending final action on the application, but the department may not issue the license unless it finds that the applicant’s plant, premises, facilities and equipment are in compliance with the requirements of this section and rules promulgated under sub. (5). The department may not refund the inspection fee if the application is denied. Inspection fees are not required for the annual renewal of a license.

95.72(2)(f) (f) Nontransferable. No license issued under this section is transferable. In the case of any transfer of ownership of a plant or business for which a license is issued, the new owner shall apply for a new license.

95.72(3) (3) Rendering or processing plant location.

95.72(3)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), no person may establish a rendering or processing plant within one-eighth mile of a dwelling, other than a dwelling associated with the rendering or processing plant, or within one-eighth mile of a public or private business building, but a rendering or processing plant is not required to cease operations because a dwelling or business building is constructed closer than one-eighth mile to an existing plant. This subsection does not prohibit the continued operation of the plant of a renderer, animal food processor or grease processor in existence on November 26, 1981, or the erection of new or improved rendering or processing plant facilities on the existing premises subject to provisions of any local ordinances.

95.72(3)(b) (b) A person may establish or expand a rendering or processing plant within one-eighth mile of a dwelling or a business building with the approval of the city, village, or town in which the rendering or processing plant would be located if animals will not be slaughtered in the rendering or processing plant and only animal parts will be processed in the rendering or processing plant.

95.72(4) (4) Rendering and processing plants; construction and operation.

95.72(4)(a) (a) New plants. No person may construct a rendering or processing plant unless it is constructed and equipped according to rules promulgated under sub. (5). No person may operate a rendering or processing plant unless the plant has sewage facilities and floor drains, all areas of the building and premises on which the plant is situated are kept in a clean and sanitary condition, and all operations are conducted to prevent the creation of a nuisance.

95.72(4)(b) (b) Closed vessels. A person who operates a rendering or processing plant shall conduct all rendering in closed vessels.

95.72(4)(c) (c) Disposal of dead animals.

95.72(4)(c)1. 1. A person who operates a rendering or processing plant shall deposit all dead animals received for rendering or processing within the plant or other enclosed structure immediately upon their arrival.