CHAPTER 151. SALE OF BISON AND BUFFALO PRODUCTS
AGRICULTURE CODE
TITLE 6. PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND SALE OF ANIMAL PRODUCTS
SUBTITLE B. LIVESTOCK
CHAPTER 151. SALE OF BISON AND BUFFALO PRODUCTS
Sec. 151.001. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this chapter:
(1) "Bison" means:
(A) an animal known by the scientific name Bovidae bison bison,
commonly known as the North American prairie bison; or
(B) an animal known by the scientific name Bovidae bison
athabascae, commonly known as the Canadian woods bison.
(2) "Bison meat" means the meat or flesh of a bison.
(3) "Buffalo" means:
(A) an animal known by the scientific name Bovidae bubalus
bubalis, commonly known as the Asian Indian buffalo, water
buffalo, or caraboa;
(B) an animal known by the scientific name Bovidae syncerus
caffer, commonly known as the African buffalo or Cape buffalo;
(C) an animal known by the scientific name Bovidae anoa
depressicornis, commonly known as the Celebes buffalo; or
(D) an animal known by the scientific name Bovidae anoa
mindorenis, commonly known as the Philippine buffalo or Mindoro
buffalo.
(4) "Buffalo meat" means the meat or flesh of a buffalo.
(5) "Restaurant" means a public eating place where food is sold.
(6) "Retail store" means a retail food store as defined under
Section 437.001, Health and Safety Code, butcher shop,
delicatessen, or other place where fresh or cooked meat is sold
at retail for consumption off premises.
(b) For the purposes of:
(1) Subdivision (1), Subsection (a), the term "bison" does not
include a hybrid of an animal listed in that subdivision; and
(2) Subdivision (3), Subsection (a), the term "buffalo" does not
include a hybrid of an animal listed in that subdivision.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 954, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1997.
Sec. 151.002. LABELING OF BISON AND BUFFALO MEAT. (a) A person
may not knowingly sell at wholesale, at a retail store, or in a
restaurant any bison or buffalo meat except in compliance with
this section.
(b) The requirements of Subsections (c) and (d) apply only to
bison or buffalo meat offered for sale at wholesale or at a
retail store.
(c) A label or brand shall be placed on each quarter, half, or
whole carcass of bison or buffalo meat and on each individually
wrapped or packaged cut or other part of bison or buffalo meat.
(d) A label or sign shall be placed on each tray or case in
which unwrapped or unpackaged cuts or slices of bison or buffalo
meat are displayed for selection by a patron and on each tray or
other container in which bison or buffalo meat is displayed in
bulk.
(e) The label, brand, or sign must contain the words "bison
meat," "North American bison meat," or "Native American bison
meat," if the meat is bison meat. The label, brand, or sign must
contain the words "water buffalo meat" or "Asian buffalo meat" if
the meat is buffalo meat.
(f) The label or sign for bison or buffalo meat required by
Subsection (d) must be conspicuous and legible.
(g) A person may not label or represent a product that contains
the meat, fat, or by-product of a species of animal other than
bison or buffalo as being buffalo meat or bison meat.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 954, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1997.
Sec. 151.003. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an
offense if the person knowingly violates Section 151.002(a).
(b) A first offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
A subsequent offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
(c) The Texas Department of Health shall enforce Section 151.002
and shall file a criminal complaint against any person who
violates Section 151.002(a).
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 954, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1997.