Us Code § 151 - Preparation and sale of worthless or harmful products for domestic animals prohibited; preparation to be in compliance with rules at licensed establishments

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 151 — Preparation and sale of worthless or harmful products for domestic animals prohibited; preparation to be in compliance with rules at licensed establishments, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 151. Preparation and sale of worthless or harmful products for domestic animals prohibited; preparation to be in compliance with rules at licensed establishments

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to prepare, sell, barter, or exchange in the District of Columbia, or in the Territories, or in any place under the jurisdiction of the United States, or to ship or deliver for shipment in or from the United States, the District of Columbia, any territory of the United States, or any place under the jurisdiction of the United States, any worthless, contaminated, dangerous, or harmful virus, serum, toxin, or analogous product intended for use in the treatment of domestic animals, and no person, firm, or corporation shall prepare, sell, barter, exchange, or ship as aforesaid any virus, serum, toxin, or analogous product manufactured within the United States and intended for use in the treatment of domestic animals, unless and until the said virus, serum, toxin, or analogous product shall have been prepared, under and in compliance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture, at an establishment holding an unsuspended and unrevoked license issued by the Secretary of Agriculture as hereinafter authorized.

(Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 145, §1 (part), 37 Stat. 832; Pub. L. 99–198, title XVII, §1768(a), Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1654.)


Editorial Notes

Codification

The sections of this chapter are comprised of the sentences of the eighth paragraph under the heading "Bureau of Animal Industry," in the Department of Agriculture Appropriation Act, 1914, as amended.

Another section 1768 of Pub. L. 99–198, cited as a credit to this section, amended section 136y of Title 7, Agriculture.

Amendments

1985—Pub. L. 99–198 substituted "in or from the United States, the District of Columbia, any territory of the United States, or any place under the jurisdiction of the United States" for "from one State or Territory or the District of Columbia to any other State or Territory or the District of Columbia".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1985 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–198, title XVII, §1768(f), Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1655, provided that:

"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [enacting sections 154a and 159 of this title and amending this section and sections 154 and 157 of this title] shall become effective on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 1985].

"(2)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) through (D), in the case of a person, firm, or corporation preparing, selling, bartering, exchanging, or shipping a virus, serum, toxin, or analogous product during the 12-month period ending on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 1985] solely for intrastate commerce or for exportation, such product shall not after such date of enactment, as a result of its not having been licensed or produced in a licensed establishment, be considered in violation of the eighth paragraph of the matter under the heading 'BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY' of the Act entitled 'An Act making appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and fourteen', approved March 14, 1913 (as amended by this section) [this chapter], until the first day of the 49th month following the date of enactment of this Act.

"(B) The exemption granted by subparagraph (A) may be extended by the Secretary of Agriculture for a period up to 12 months in an individual case on a showing by a person, firm, or corporation of good cause and a good faith effort to comply with such eighth paragraph with due diligence.

"(C) The exemption granted by subparagraph (A) must be claimed by the person, firm, or corporation preparing such product by the first day of the 13th month following the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 1985], in the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary, unless the Secretary grants an extension of the time to claim such exemption in an individual case for good cause shown.

"(D) On the issuance by the Secretary of a license to such person, firm, or corporation for such product prior to the first day of the 49th month following the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 1985], or the end of an extension of the exemption granted by the Secretary, the exemption granted by subparagraph (A) shall terminate with respect to such product."

Short Title

Act Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 145, §1 [part], 37 Stat. 832, which is classified to this chapter, is popularly known as the "Virus-Serum-Toxin Act".

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of the Secretary of Agriculture relating to agricultural import and entry inspection activities under this chapter to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 231, 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

Appropriations

An appropriation of $25,000 was made by act Mar. 4, 1913, for the purpose of carrying into effect these provisions. The appropriation for the fiscal year 1926 was by act Feb. 10, 1925, ch. 200, 43 Stat. 827.

About This Section

21 U.S.C. § 151 is part of Title 21 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 21 U.S.C. § 151. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 151

What does United States Code § 151 cover?

Section 151 ("Preparation and sale of worthless or harmful products for domestic animals prohibited; preparation to be in compliance with rules at licensed establishments") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

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Is this the official text of Us Code law?

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Sources & Verification

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