(a) The Georgia Department of Agriculture, acting by and through the Commissioner, is designated as the state agency which shall be responsible for cooperating with the secretary of agriculture of the United States under the provisions of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and other related federal acts; and said department is directed to cooperate with the secretary of agriculture of the United States in developing and administering the meat inspection program of this state under this article to assure that its requirements will be at least equal to those imposed under Titles I and IV of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and in developing and administering the program of this state under Part 4 of this article in such a manner as will effectuate the purposes of this article and applicable federal acts.

(b) In such cooperative efforts, the Commissioner is authorized to accept from the secretary advisory assistance in planning and otherwise developing the state program; technical and laboratory assistance and training, including necessary curricular and instructional materials and equipment; and financial and other aid for administration of such a program. The Commissioner is further authorized to spend public funds of this state appropriated for administration of this article in furtherance of the cooperative program.

(c) The Commissioner is authorized to recommend to the secretary of agriculture such officials or employees of this state as the Commissioner shall designate for appointment to the advisory committees provided for in the Federal Meat Inspection Act; and the Commissioner shall serve as the representative of the Governor for consultation with the secretary under such act.