When, in the judgment of the State Veterinarian, it is necessary for the control or eradication of an animal disease outbreak to slaughter or destroy animals or destroy animal products affected with or exposed to such disease and when the Commissioner determines that there should be compensation to owners and, when applicable, individuals contracted by the owners to produce such animals or animal products for loss thereof, the Commissioner, with the approval of the Governor and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, may, within his discretion, use funds so appropriated to pay to the appropriate persons a portion of the difference between the appraised value of each animal destroyed or slaughtered or animal product destroyed and the total value of the salvage thereof and any compensation made for each animal or animal product by the federal government.
Va. Code § 3.2-5905