Montana Title 81. Livestock § 81-9-230. Antemortem and postmortem inspection required

(1) Official establishments must have an antemortem inspection. The inspector assigned to each establishment shall examine each animal immediately prior to slaughter to eliminate all unfit animals and segregate for more thorough examination all animals suspected of being affected with a condition that might influence their disposition on postmortem inspection. The unfit animals may not enter the slaughtering facilities of the plant. The suspected animals that are permitted to be slaughtered after inspection must be handled separately from the regular kill and given a special postmortem examination.

(2) Official establishments must have a postmortem inspection. The postmortem inspection must be made at the time the animals are slaughtered. The inspectors shall examine the cervical lymph glands, the skeletal lymph glands, the viscera and organs, with their lymph glands, and all exposed surfaces of the carcasses of all cattle, buffalo, horses, sheep, swine, and goats. The examination must be conducted in the slaughtering facilities of the establishment during the slaughtering operations.

(3) The chief or any of the chief's inspectors may have a laboratory designated by the board make pathogenic examination of animals or animal parts for completion of antemortem or postmortem inspection.