44. An application for a permit under subparagraph a.1 of the first paragraph of section 9 of the Food Products Act (chapter P-29) must be filed with the Minister in writing, contain the information required under the first paragraph of section 3 and be submitted with the file opening fee prescribed by section 22, made payable to the Minister of Finance, and with the plans and specifications described in section 1.3.1.2 of the Regulation respecting food (R.R.Q., 1981, chapter P-29, r. 1). Before a permit is issued, the applicant must have paid the permit fee to the Minister of Finance. Despite the first paragraph, applicants who hold a transitional slaughterhouse permit are exempted from paying the file opening fee.