(a) The commissioner shall administer and enforce the provisions of this article and for this purpose is hereby authorized and empowered to promulgate reasonable rules and to employ or contract with such persons as may be appropriate. All rules shall be promulgated in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code. Such rules shall, insofar as practicable, be in conformity with the rules and regulations issued under the federal Meat Inspection Act and the federal Poultry Products Inspection Act.
(b) The commissioner is hereby authorized and empowered to cooperate with the federal government and any agencies, departments and instrumentalities thereof, the State of West Virginia and any agencies, departments or political subdivisions thereof, and any other state or commonwealth and any agencies, departments or political subdivisions thereof, in order to carry out the effective administration of this article.