(1) The department of agriculture and commerce is hereby designated as the state agency which shall be responsible for cooperating with the secretary of agriculture of the United States under the provisions of Section 301 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and such agency 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 chapter to assure that not later than November 15, 1969, 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 Article 3 of this chapter in such a manner as will effectuate the purposes of this chapter and said federal act.

(2) In such cooperative efforts, the department of agriculture and commerce is authorized to accept from said 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 department of agriculture and commerce is further authorized to spend public funds of this state appropriated for administration of this chapter to pay fifty per centum (50%) of the estimated total cost of the cooperative program.

(3) The department of agriculture and commerce is further authorized to recommend to the said secretary of agriculture such officials or employees of this state as the department of agriculture and commerce shall designate, for appointment to the advisory committees provided for in Section 301 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act; and the department of agriculture and commerce shall serve as the representative of the governor for consultation with said secretary under paragraph (c) of this section of said act unless the governor shall select another representative.