Archives > 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws - Previous Versions > 2003 Session > Title 47

This statutory database is current through the 2003 Regular Session of the South Carolina General Assembly. Changes to the statutes enacted by the 2004 General Assembly, which will convene in January 2004, will be incorporated as soon as possible. Some changes enacted by the 2004 General Assembly may take immediate effect. The State of South Carolina and the South Carolina Legislative Council make no warranty as to the accuracy of the data, and users rely on the data entirely at their own risk.




SECTION 47-22-10. Short title.

This chapter may be cited as the "South Carolina Rendering Act of 1998".

SECTION 47-22-20. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) "Transfer center" means a facility where raw materials are collected for loading into approved vehicles for delivery to a rendering plant.

(2) "Commission" means the State Livestock-Poultry Health Commission.

(3) "Director" means the Director, Division of Livestock-Poultry Heath Programs, Clemson University.

(4) "Division" means the Division of Livestock-Poultry Health Programs at Clemson University and its agents, employees, and officials.

(5) "Inspector" means an employee or official of the division authorized by the director to carry out inspections or investigations required or authorized by law.

(6) "Livestock" means all classes and breeds of animals, domesticated or feral.

(7) "Permit" means official authorization to engage in a specified activity.

(8) "Poultry" means all avian species including wildfowl and domestic fowl.

(9) "Raw material" means livestock or poultry carcasses and inedible parts thereof, fats, oils, and other inedible animal byproducts, and used fats and oils collected from restaurants.

(10) "Rendering operation" means the processing of all or part of the inedible portions of livestock or poultry carcasses and other raw material, and includes the collection and transportation of raw material for the purpose of processing.

(11) "Rendering plant" means a building or buildings in which raw material is processed, and includes the premises upon which buildings used in connection with processing are located.

(12) "State Veterinarian" means the Director, Division of Livestock-Poultry Health Programs, Clemson University.

SECTION 47-22-30. Duties of commission and director.

The commission is the governing and policymaking body for the department, and is authorized to promulgate regulations that are necessary and proper to carry out the purpose and provisions of this chapter. The commission must delegate the administrative and enforcement duties provided for in this chapter to the director. The director, acting through the division, must administer the provisions of this chapter, enforce the required minimum standards set forth in Section 47-22-60, and all other laws pertaining to rendering livestock, poultry, and raw material in this State.

SECTION 47-22-40. Permit required for operation of transfer center and rendering processes.

No person shall operate a transfer center or rendering plant, or engage in rendering operations, unless he possesses a valid and current permit issued by the division.

SECTION 47-22-50. Permit applications; information required; permit valid until revoked, relinquished, or abandoned.

Application for a permit required by this chapter must be made to the director on forms provided by the division. The application must set forth the name and address of the applicant, the present or proposed place of business, the particular method used or to be used in the collection, transportation, processing, disposition, and disposal of raw material, and all other information as the director may require. Plant flow diagrams of any existing or proposed rendering plant and of equipment used in rendering operations must be available at the plant for review by division inspectors. A permit is valid until revoked pursuant to Section 47-4-130, or until relinquished or abandoned by the person to whom the permit was issued.

SECTION 47-22-60. Location and equipment requirements for transfer centers, rendering plants, and vehicles used to transfer raw materials.

(A) Transfer centers must:

(1) be located on a site in compliance with local zoning ordinances and have a potable water supply, wastewater and solid disposal, and air pollution facilities as required by any governmental authority having jurisdiction over the site;

(2) be covered by a metal roof or other permanent type covering with sufficient screened ventilators to allow air flow, yet preventing the entrance of rodents, birds, and insects;

(3) have walls, floors, and ceilings made of durable, nonabsorbent materials that can be cleaned and maintained in a sanitary condition;

(4) have adequate drains in an impervious floor with a supply of hot water sufficient to thoroughly clean the transfer center's building, equipment, and all vehicles transporting raw material to the transfer center;

(5) be cleaned and sanitized at the end of each daily operation;

(6) hold inedible materials no longer than allowed by good manufacturing practices, and dispose of all product and unused raw material in a lawful manner;

(7) be operated in such a manner that objectionable odors are not detected off site of the transfer center.

(B) Rendering plants must:

(1) be located on a site in compliance with local zoning ordinances and have a potable water supply, wastewater and solid disposal, and air pollution facilities as required by any governmental authority having jurisdiction over the site;

(2) utilize buildings of sufficient size and shape to accommodate all phases of actual processing, with partitions installed therein sufficient to prevent any contact between raw materials and finished product, and to prevent contamination of finished product;

(3) utilize buildings constructed with materials and in a manner that will ensure adequate drainage and sanitation in all phases of operation, and that contain walls, floors, and ceilings constructed with durable, nonabsorbent materials that can be cleaned and maintained in a sanitary manner;

(4) have a supply of hot water and cleaning agents sufficient to facilitate cleaning of the building, equipment, and vehicles used to move and handle raw material and product in a sanitary manner;

(5) be operated using reasonable precautions while handling, storing, or preparing raw material to prevent objectionable odors from being discharged beyond the boundaries of the permittee's property, to ensure that raw material does not remain on site any longer than allowed by good manufacturing practice, and to dispose of all product and unused raw material in a lawful manner;

(6) be operated using appropriate and properly-functioning rendering equipment including, but not limited to, working, efficient, and effective odor-control systems to prevent the emission of objectionable odors;

(7) diligently practice rodent and vermin control in buildings and keep surrounding grounds clean and free of refuse, trash, and manure;

(8) mark all barrels used for transportation and storage of raw materials with the word "inedible" in letters clearly visible and not less than two inches in height; and

(9) have a control and recontamination program, as approved by the director, that specifically provides for the prevention of cross-contamination between raw material and finished product.

(C) Vehicles used to transport raw materials must:

(1) be so constructed and maintained as to prevent any dripping, seeping, discharge, or escape of raw material from the truck, and have body sides of such height that no portion of the raw material transported therein is subject to spillage under normal circumstances; provided, on a case-by-case basis, the director may require the complete covering of a load of raw material for biosecurity purposes.

(2) after unloading, be cleaned with hot water and a suitable cleansing agent to prevent a buildup of grease, solids, or other raw material residue, and no vehicle used to transport raw material may be taken out or operated on a public road or highway without first being thoroughly cleaned.

(3) be licensed by the division as suitable for the purpose of transporting raw material.

SECTION 47-22-70. Inspections; hours; information required to be available.

Every transfer center, rendering plant, rendering operation and vehicle used to transport raw material is subject to inspection by the division inspectors during normal operating hours and at such other times as the director may deem necessary for the enforcement of this chapter. Each rendering plant must keep and furnish the director information required by law concerning the collection, transportation, processing, distribution, disposition, and disposal of raw material.

SECTION 47-22-80. Violations; penalties.

Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or any regulation promulgated hereunder shall be subject to the criminal and/or civil penalties as provided by Section 47-4-130 of this title.