Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
ATCP 55-89 - Food, Lodging, and Recreation Safety
Chapter ATCP 55 - Meat And Poultry Products
Section ATCP 55.05 - Ante mortem inspection

(1) GENERAL. Ante mortem inspections shall comply with applicable standards under s. ATCP 55.07.

(2) SUSPECT ANIMALS. If a department inspector performing an ante mortem inspection suspects that a food animal is affected by a disease or condition that may cause all or part of the animal's carcass to be condemned after post mortem inspection, the inspector shall cause the animal to be held for ante mortem inspection by a department veterinarian. The animal shall be segregated from other food animals, and shall be placed in a holding area marked with a "WIS. SUSPECT" tag or placard until a department veterinarian performs an ante mortem inspection.

(3) ANIMALS THAT CANNOT STAND OR WALK. If the department performs an ante mortem inspection on an animal that cannot stand or walk, a department veterinarian shall perform the inspection. The department veterinarian may order the animal held for up to 24 hours for further observation. If the animal has been treated with drugs for which the prescribed withdrawal time has not elapsed, the department veterinarian shall condemn the animal or order the animal held until the withdrawal time elapses.

(4) CONDEMNED ANIMALS. Except as provided in sub. (5), if a department veterinarian performing an ante mortem inspection finds that a food animal is affected by a disease or condition that would cause the animal's carcass to be condemned in its entirety after post mortem inspection, the veterinarian shall condemn the animal. The condemned animal shall be segregated from other live food animals. The veterinarian shall supervise the humane slaughter and disposal of the animal.

(5) TREATABLE ANIMALS. If a department veterinarian performing an ante mortem inspection finds that a food animal is affected by a treatable disease or condition, the veterinarian may order the animal withheld from slaughter pending specified treatment. A food animal held for treatment may not be slaughtered for human consumption until a department veterinarian performs another ante mortem inspection after the animal is treated. A diseased animal may not be held for treatment in a manner that threatens the health of other animals.

(6) FIELD ANTE MORTEM INSPECTION. An inspector or veterinarian conducting a field ante mortem inspection under s. ATCP 55.04(3) shall observe the live animal in the field, in motion and at rest. The inspector or veterinarian may specify other procedures, as necessary, to ensure a safe and effective field ante mortem examination.