[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township
of Ewing 5-27-2014 by Ord. No.
14-10. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fees — See Ch. 172.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Includes and only includes poultry and rabbits that are raised
for human consumption. The term shall not include any animals not
explicitly identified, including but not limited to goats, sheep,
cattle, swine and deer.
[Amended 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 23-09]
A food establishment occupied or used for the slaughtering,
dressing, or eviscerating of live poultry and rabbits, to be offered
for wholesale or retail use, either for profit or not for profit,
or any place wherein a similar operation is conducted, including all
detached buildings or rooms under the control of the operator of such
establishment and used in any capacity in connection with the operation
of such establishment.
[Amended 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 23-09]
The Health Officer of the Board of Health or any of their
duly authorized representatives.
[Amended 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 23-09]
A public notice posted by the Health Officer at the public
entrance of a premises wherein an animal slaughtering and processing
facility is operated and that results in the immediate closure of
the establishment and the discontinuance of all operations, by order
of the Health Officer, because of violations of applicable federal,
state, and local regulations, orders, embargos, or quarantines.
Refuse, trash, wastes, and butchered animal parts, including
those which are not considered edible.
The individual present at an animal slaughtering and processing
facility who is responsible for the operation at the time of inspection.
Any domesticated bird (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, or
guineas) and any migratory waterfowl, game bird, or squab, such as
pheasant, partridge, quail, grouse, or guineas, that has been raised
for human consumption. The term shall not include ratites.
The animal slaughtering and processing facility's building,
its contents, and the contiguous land or property under the control
of the licensee.
A flightless bird such as an emu, ostrich, or rhea.
A.
No person shall operate an animal slaughtering and processing facility
in the Township, whether for compensation or not, without complying
with the requirements of this chapter, as well as the regulations
of the United States Department of Agriculture and the State of New
Jersey, including the New Jersey Administrative Code at N.J.A.C. 8:24-1.1
et seq., as the same may be from time to time amended and supplemented.
B.
In all allied matters that are regulated by the laws of the State
of New Jersey, such laws shall control where the requirements are
in excess of this chapter. This chapter shall control in all cases
where the state law requirements are less than herein contained.
A.
No person, persons, firm or corporation shall hereafter operate an
animal slaughtering and processing facility within the limits of the
Township or permit the operation of any of the same within his establishment
unless and until a license therefor is first obtained from the Board
of Health of the Township.
B.
Anyone operating an animal slaughtering and processing facility within
the Township as of the effective date of this chapter must apply for
a license for same by December 1 of the year that the chapter takes
effect.
A.
The proposed animal slaughtering and processing facility must be
located in the IP 3 Zone as it appears on the Zoning Map of the Township.
B.
The Board of Health shall not issue more than one animal slaughtering
and processing facility license to operate in the Township in any
such zone where permitted.
A.
Any person desiring a license to operate an animal slaughtering and
processing facility shall apply to the Board of Health, in writing,
on forms promulgated and supplied by the Board of Health. Such forms
shall be duly verified by the applicant.
B.
No license to operate an animal slaughtering and processing facility
shall be issued by the Board of Health unless:
(1)
A valid certificate of occupancy issued by the Construction Official
has been issued for the premises. A certificate of occupancy shall
be required for any animal slaughtering and processing facility that
has been renovated or has changed ownership.
(2)
A certification from the Zoning Officer that the location of the
business is in compliance with zoning codes. Such certification shall
be required for any animal slaughtering and processing facility that
has been renovated or has changed ownership.
C.
At least 30 days prior to expiration of a license to operate an animal
slaughtering and processing facility, the licensee shall make an application
for renewal with the Board of Health.
A.
Each license to operate an animal slaughtering and processing facility
issued by the Board of Health shall contain a registration number
and the date of expiration, and no such license shall be transferable
to another person or entity or from premises to premises.
B.
The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place near the public
entrance of the establishment where it may be readily observed by
all patrons.
C.
Licenses shall be valid for a calendar licensing period commencing
January 1 and ending December 31. All licenses issued during the course
of a calendar year shall expire on December 31 of that year, regardless
of the date issued.
D.
License holders shall notify the Board of Health within 10 calendar
days in writing of any change in the owner's contact information.
E.
Any person desiring to renovate, expand or substantially alter an
existing animal slaughtering and processing facility shall submit
plans and specifications to the Board of Health for review and final
approval prior to the issuance of any building permits and prior to
such renovations, expansions or alterations taking place.
A.
No animal not explicitly identified in this chapter shall be kept,
displayed, slaughtered, dressed, or eviscerated in any premises licensed
as an animal slaughtering and processing facility.
B.
No live animal shall be kept, displayed, slaughtered, dressed or
eviscerated in the same room as another species of animal.
C.
Live animals shall not be allowed to run at large upon the licensed
premises but shall be kept in cages or crates. No animal shall be
permitted to run at large on streets, sidewalks, or any other area
off of the licensed premises.
D.
No animal feed shall be scattered on floors. All spillage of feed
shall be promptly removed.
E.
No person shall offer for human consumption any animal, whether alive
or slaughtered, which is diseased, unfit, or may have died from any
other causes other than by slaughter.
F.
No overfed live animal shall be permitted to be brought into or bred
in the Township.
G.
No animal shall be kept in a place in which water, ventilation, food,
or any other similar items are not sufficient and wholesome for the
preservation of the health and safe condition of such animal.
H.
No animal shall be kept in any enclosure that is infested.
I.
Plucking shall not be carried on in a room used for slaughtering
or cleaning.
A.
All animals shall be kept in a clean and sanitary manner at all times.
B.
All live animals shall be confined in suitable enclosures such as
cages or crates. The confining of live animals directly on floors
of the premises such as in pens, open coops, or similar enclosures
is prohibited. Enclosures shall not be overcrowded with live animals
so as to result in injury to the animal or restrict movement of the
animal confined therein.
C.
Animals shall be segregated by species.
D.
All cages and/or crates shall be kept in a clean and a sanitary condition
at all times.
E.
All live animal cages, crates, or enclosures shall be in good repair
and constructed of easily cleanable, noncorrosive, and nonabsorbent
material. Cages, crates, and enclosures shall be raised from the floor
at least six inches so as to permit flushing and cleaning underneath
the same. All cages, crates, or enclosures shall be cleaned and disinfected
in a manner approved by the Board of Health.
F.
A sufficient number of roosts to provide roosting space for each
individual specimen of poultry kept in any enclosure and a sufficient
number of properly placed collection pans to catch all droppings excreted
by poultry while on the roost shall be provided. Collection pans shall
be easily cleanable, nonabsorbent, and noncorrosive. Collection pans
shall be kept clean and free of excessive excrement and other wastes.
Collection pans shall be cleaned and disinfected in a manner approved
by the Board of Health.
G.
Animal cages, crates, and enclosures shall be arranged to allow a
clear passageway to the public and for cleaning.
H.
Ample supply of wholesome food and clean water shall be provided
for all live animals. Troughs, bowls, or similar containers used for
food and water shall be kept clean, in good repair, and placed in
such a manner so as to prevent contamination of food and water kept
therein.
A.
All parts of the premises shall be kept in a sanitary condition at
all times.
B.
The flooring of live animal slaughtering and processing facilities
shall be composed of material that is impervious to moisture and shall
be properly graded to prevent pooling of liquid or waste and permit
adequate drainage to floor drains. All floors shall be kept clean
and in good repair.
C.
Walls and ceilings in live animal storage rooms, equipment washing
rooms, rooms used for plucking, rooms used for slaughtering, and restrooms
shall be comprised of smooth, light-colored, moisture-proof, and washable
material. All walls shall be kept clean and in good repair.
D.
All rooms within the premises shall be properly lighted and ventilated.
Mechanical ventilation of sufficient capacity to keep all rooms free
of excessive heat and obnoxious odors shall be provided and shall
ventilate to open air. Such systems shall be maintained in a clean
manner and in good repair and shall be designed and operated so as
to prevent obnoxious odors from entering adjacent properties.
A.
All animal slaughtering and processing facilities shall be equipped
with adequate preparation sinks with hot and cold running water under
pressure in rooms used for slaughtering and plucking. Such sinks shall
be used for the cleaning of animals.
B.
All animal slaughtering and processing facilities shall be equipped
with a three-compartment sink to permit washing, rinsing, and sanitizing
of utensils, removable contact surfaces, processing equipment, and
similar items. Each compartment shall be of suitable size so as to
permit the full immersion of the largest utensil, removable contact
surface, processing equipment, and similar items under water. The
sink shall dispense hot and cold water under pressure. Three-compartment
sinks shall not be used for hand washing or the cleaning of animals.
Methods of sanitization, including the chemical sanitizers, shall
be approved by the Board of Health.
C.
Adequate hand-washing facilities, including hot and cold running
water under pressure, hand soap, and disposable towels shall be provided
in all toilet rooms and in any other locations on the premises used
for plucking, slaughtering, dressing, or any other activity where
the nature of work requires frequent use of such facilities. Use of
common towels or bar-type soap is prohibited. Hand-washing signs approved
by the Board of Health shall be posted at hand-washing facilities.
D.
Adequate restroom facilities shall be provided on the premises. Doors
to restrooms shall be self-closing. Restrooms shall be kept in clean
and good repair.
E.
All plumbing in the premises shall be so arranged, designed, installed,
and maintained so as to prevent contamination of the water supply,
food, and equipment.
All equipment used for slaughtering, dressing, eviscerating,
and similar butchering shall be kept in good repair, clean, free from
dust, excessive residue, insects, or any other contaminating material.
Equipment shall be washed, rinsed, and sanitized in accordance with
a schedule and in a manner approved by the Board of Health.
A.
All waste in animal slaughtering and processing facilities shall
be disposed of daily and all inedible products and trash shall be
kept in tight, vermin-proof, nonabsorbent, and easily washable receptacles
which are covered with close-fitting lids pending removal. Offal resulting
from the operation of such establishments shall be handled, stored,
and removed so as to prevent nuisances, disagreeable odors, or contamination
of edible products.
B.
All areas where wastes are stored shall be kept in a sanitary manner.
C.
The curbside and public roadway directly in front of the establishment
shall be cleaned in a manner approved by the Board of Health after
the delivery of animals, after waste removal, and as often as necessary
to maintain such areas free of unsanitary conditions. Offal and other
solid wastes shall not be washed, flushed, swept, or permitted to
enter into municipal storm drains.
Openings to the outside shall be properly screened, closed,
or sealed so as to prevent the entry of vermin. All parts of the premises
shall be maintained free of vermin.
A.
No person with any disease in a communicable form, or who is a carrier
of such disease, shall work in an animal slaughtering and processing
facility or in any capacity which brings him into contact with the
production, handling, storage or transportation of food, beverages,
ingredients or equipment used in the operation of an animal slaughtering
and processing facility.
B.
No operator shall employ in any such capacity any such person or
any person suspected of having any disease in a communicable form
or of being a carrier of such disease. Any operator among whose employees
there occurs a communicable disease or who suspects that any employee
has contracted any disease in a communicable form or has become a
carrier of such disease shall notify the Health Officer immediately.
C.
When suspicion arises as to the possibility of transmission or infection
from any employee, the Health Officer is authorized to require any
or all of the following measures:
(1)
The immediate exclusion of the employee from all animal slaughtering
and processing facility operations.
(2)
The immediate closing of an animal slaughtering and processing facility
operations until, in the opinion of the Health Officer, no further
danger of disease outbreak exists.
(3)
Adequate medical examinations of the employee and of his associates,
with such laboratory examinations as may be indicated.
A.
The Health Officer may inspect all animal slaughtering and processing
facilities as often as the Health Officer deems necessary.
[Amended 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 23-09]
B.
The Health Officer, after proper identification, shall be permitted
to enter, at any reasonable time, upon any private or public property
within the Township where animal slaughtering and processing facilities
are operated for the purpose of determining compliance with the provisions
of this chapter. The licensee or person in charge of the animal slaughtering
and processing facility location shall make provisions for the Health
Officer to have access, either in company with an employee or otherwise,
to all portions of the premises.
A.
The Health Officer or their designee may revoke and remove the license
for or suspend operations of an animal slaughtering and processing
facility at any time and summarily order the establishment closed
when, in the opinion of the Health Officer or their designee, such
action is necessary to abate an existing or threatened menace to public
health.
[Amended 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 23-09]
B.
The Health Officer or their designee shall post a notice of closure
at the public entrance of the establishment where it may be visible
to the public. The notice of closure shall remain posted until removed
by the Health Officer or their designee. No person shall conceal or
mutilate any notice of closure or remove it except by permission of
the Health Officer.
[Amended 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 23-09]
C.
In summarily ordering an establishment closed, the Health Officer
or their designee may request assistance from public safety officers
of the Township. Immediate closure shall be in addition to and shall
supplement any other penalty or remedy that may be authorized by N.J.A.C.
8:24-1.1 et seq., or the Code of the Township, as the same may be
from time to time amended and supplemented.
[Amended 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 23-09]
D.
A person whose license has been revoked shall close the establishment
and request all patrons to vacate the premises.
E.
A person whose license has been revoked shall have the right to apply
to the Township to reinstate that license pursuant to this code's
appeal procedures.
A.
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforceable by the Township
Health Officer or his designee.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder, molest or interfere
with anyone authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
C.
This chapter shall not be enforced as to any religious observances.
The general penalty provisions of the Code of the Township shall
govern violations of this chapter.
