# Title 4.1 — Agriculture

## Chapter 4.1-19 — Eggs and Poultry

### § 4.1-19-01. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:
1. "Eggs" means eggs in the shell which are the product of a domesticated poultry.
2. "Poultry" means domesticated fowl bred for the primary purpose of producing eggs,
meat, or both, including chickens, turkeys, ostriches, emus, rheas, cassowaries,
waterfowl, and game birds, but excluding doves and pigeons.
### § 4.1-19-02. Administration - Enforcement.

The agriculture commissioner shall administer and enforce this chapter.
### § 4.1-19-03. Purposes - Duties.

The agriculture commissioner shall:
1. Promote improved poultry breeding practices and cooperate with the board of animal
health in controlling and eradicating contagious or infectious diseases of poultry.
2. Act as the official state agency for North Dakota in cooperation with the veterinary
services, animal plant health inspection service, and United States department of
agriculture, for the purpose of furthering the objectives and supervising the state's
participation in the national poultry improvement plan.
3. Promote the welfare and improvement of the poultry industry and the marketing of
poultry and poultry products within the state.
4. Adopt rules under chapter 28-32 as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this
chapter.
### § 4.1-19-04. Licensing - Fees - Bonding.

Repealed by S.L. 2025, ch. 81, § 3.
### § 4.1-19-05. Penalty.

1. A person in violation of this chapter or rule adopted under this chapter may be subject
to a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars for each violation. The civil
penalty may be adjudicated by the courts or by the agriculture commissioner through
an administrative hearing conducted by an independent hearing officer pursuant to
chapter 28-32.
2. The agriculture commissioner may maintain an appropriate civil action in the name of
the state against any person violating this chapter or rule adopted under this chapter.
3. For purposes of this section, "person" means an individual, partnership, corporation,
limited liability company, association, cooperative, or any business entity.
### § 4.1-19-06. Egg dealers to be registered - Exemption.

1. All eggs sold or offered for sale other than to an end consumer in this state must be
candled, labeled, and meet all other requirements as the commissioner deems
necessary. All eggs sold or offered for sale to an end consumer are exempt from this
requirement.
2. The agriculture commissioner may adopt appropriate rules under chapter 28-32 to
provide for registration of egg dealers and standards for candling, grading, and
inspecting eggs as to size, quality, purity, strength, holding requirements,
transportation, labeling, and sanitation in conformity with United States department of
agriculture regulations governing the grading and inspecting of eggs.
