(a) Authority for the control, suppression, and eradication of livestock and poultry diseases and pests, and supervision of livestock and poultry work in this state, including authority to promulgate rules governing the handling, sale, and use of vaccines, antigens, and other biological products used for reportable diseases and emergencies affecting livestock and poultry, is vested in the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission.
(b) The commission shall have the authority to:
(1) Enter into cooperative work agreements with any or all federal agencies in matters relating to the functions performable by the commission including, but not limited to, general livestock and poultry disease control programs;
(2) Receive and expend any moneys arising from federal means, grants, contributions, gratuities, or reimbursements for or on account of any of the functions at any time performable by the commission;
(3) Cooperate with similar agencies existing in other states and with the appropriate federal agencies and appropriate other agencies of this state for the purpose of coordinating laws and rules governing the interstate movement of livestock and poultry and the products producible therefrom, with the view of safeguarding against animal diseases, insects, and pests and at the same time endeavoring to eliminate interstate trade barriers;
(4) Cooperate with, and receive the cooperation of, all state-supported institutions of higher education in matters of mutual interest relating to the development of the livestock and poultry interests of this state;
(5) Cooperate with the state, district, and county livestock show associations in the promotion and development of the livestock and poultry industry of this state;
(6) Contract and be contracted with;
(7) Take other action, not inconsistent with law, as it shall deem necessary or desirable to effectively carry out its duties;
(8) Make modifications or adjustments in disease and pest control and eradication activities and programs as it deems necessary or appropriate to enable it to carry out its responsibilities with respect to such activities and programs;
(9) Obtain, upon majority vote of the commission, health records of livestock and poultry, including records of livestock and poultry produced, sold, processed, or otherwise handled, to enable it to effectively administer and enforce its rules and laws relating to disease or pest control and eradication programs; and
(10) Prescribe, by administrative rule, the method and manner for testing and vaccination of livestock or poultry located within the state but such authority shall not interfere with farmer vaccination of his or her own product.
(c) The commission shall have the authority to make, modify, and enforce such rules and orders, not inconsistent with law, as it shall from time to time deem necessary to effectively carry out the functions performable by it.