Chapter 534 — Chapter 534

The inspection and protection of livestock in the state are hereby placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, herein called the “department.” Fees collected pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited in the General Inspection Trust Fund…

The department shall be the recorder of livestock marks or brands, and the marks or brands may not be recorded elsewhere in the state. Any livestock owner who uses a mark or brand to identify her or his livestock must register the mark or brand by applying to the department. The …

Certified copies of recorded marks and brands shall be furnished by the department when and as requested and it shall charge and collect $2 for each certificate. Such certificates shall be admissible in evidence in all courts.

The registration of a mark or brand entitles the registered owner to exclusive ownership and use of the mark or brand for a period ending at midnight on the last day of the month 10 years after the date of registration. Upon application, registration may be renewed for successive…

Marks or brands recorded under this act are the property of the person, firm or corporation causing the record to be made, and may be sold, assigned or donated as personal property. Any instrument affecting the title of such mark or brand shall be acknowledged in the presence of …

The department shall prescribe and enforce suitable rules and regulations for the inspection of livestock and carcasses of livestock to the end that the true ownership thereof may at all times be protected and larceny prevented and for the enforcement of this chapter. The departm…

(1) All law enforcement officers of the state or any political subdivision thereof, including investigators and agricultural law enforcement officers of the department and highway patrol officers, are authorized to stop any driver of a vehicle transporting livestock, carcasses of…

Livestock hide dealers shall make and keep a record of all hides of livestock received by them, which record shall include the name and address of the person from whom the hides were purchased, a description of the hides, brands, and any other identifying information. Such record…

Persons engaged in the business of transporting or hauling livestock in the state shall, upon receiving such livestock for transportation, issue a waybill or bill of lading for all livestock transported or hauled by them, and such waybill or bill of lading shall accompany the shi…

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to have the possession of livestock or carcasses of livestock under claim of ownership when in fact said person, firm, or corporation does not own said livestock or carcasses of livestock.

Any person who shall violate the provisions of ss. 534.011-534.091, either by doing anything forbidden, or failing to do and perform anything required hereby, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

In addition to the remedies provided in this chapter, and notwithstanding the existence of any adequate remedy at law, the department is hereby authorized to make application for injunction to a circuit court or circuit judge and such circuit court or circuit judge shall have jur…

As used in ss. 534.48-534.54, the term:(1) “Dealer” means a person, not a market agency, engaged in the business of buying or selling in commerce livestock either on his or her own account or as the employee or agent of a vendor or purchaser.(2) “Department” means the Department …

Prior to engaging in business, every livestock market shall make application to the department for a license. Such application shall be on a form provided by the department and shall be accompanied by an annual license fee of $100. Upon approval of the application by the departme…

For the purposes of this section, a livestock draft given as payment at a livestock auction market for a livestock purchase shall not be deemed an express extension of credit to the purchaser and shall not defeat the creation of a lien on such animal and its carcass, all products…

It is unlawful for the purchaser of livestock to delay or fail in rendering payment for livestock to a seller of cattle as provided in s. 534.54. A person who violates this section commits an unfair or deceptive act or practice as specified in s. 501.204.

(1) For any violation of ss. 534.47-534.53, the department may refuse to renew a license or may suspend or revoke a license already issued, upon notice to the applicant or licensee of its intention so to refuse, suspend, or revoke by giving its reasons therefor. The applicant or …

The livestock auction market shall be required to record and maintain information or records necessary to properly administer and enforce ss. 534.47-534.53, and such records shall be made available for inspection by all law enforcement officers and by the department or its agents…

(1)(a) A purchaser that purchases livestock from a seller shall make payment by cash or check for the purchase price of the livestock and actually deliver the cash or check to the seller or her or his representative at the location where the purchaser takes physical possession of…