HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 48
(By Delegates Beach, Williams, Prunty, Osborne, Ball,
Fragale, Heck, Evans, Henderson, Leggett, Nichols,
Proudfoot, Riggs, Willison, Anderson, Burke and Dempsey)
Directing the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make
a study of the wholesomeness of meat products and poultry
products sold and distributed in West Virginia, and of the
meat and poultry inspection program utilized by the West
Virginia Department of Agriculture.
Whereas, The health, safety, comfort and well-being of the
residents of West Virginia is of utmost concern to the
Legislature of West Virginia; and
Whereas, West Virginia's meat products and poultry products
inspection program is crucial to insuring the health of West
Virginia residents through the thorough inspection of such
products; and
Whereas, Assertions have been made regarding unsanitary
conditions in some of West Virginia's wholesale and retail
outlets; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Department of Agriculture's meat
products and poultry products inspection program is rated number
one in the country; and
Whereas, The Legislature has an interest in helping the
department maintain its exemplary inspection program; therefore,
be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance create a
Special Joint Committee to conduct an interim study relating to
the meat products and poultry products inspection program
utilized by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the Special Joint Committee be
comprised of the members of the Senate Agriculture and the
members of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the study by the Special Joint
Committee address, but not be limited to, the following subject
areas:
(1) The existence and extent of unwholesome meat products
and poultry products being sold and distributed by wholesale and
retail outlets in the State, especially as it relates to cooked,
marinated, and smoked meat products and poultry products;
(2) The probability that the sale and distribution of
unwholesome meat products and poultry products by wholesale and
retail outlets in the State will escalate;
(3) The need to increase the frequency of inspections of
meat products and poultry products wholesale and retail outlets
by state inspectors;
(4) The adequacy of current rules and state laws regarding
the state inspection program of meat products and poultry
products, and if found to be inadequate, suggested
recommendations to ensure the wholesomeness of such products;and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Special Joint Committee be
authorized to conduct public hearings at one or more places
throughout the State for the purpose of receiving public comment
on the issues under consideration and be authorized to take
testimony at any such hearing; and, be it
Further Resolved, The Special Joint Committee report to the
regular session of the Legislature, 1997, on its findings,
conclusions and recommendations, and to include with its report,
drafts of any proposed legislation or regulations necessary to
effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct
this study, to prepare a report and to draft any proposed
legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint
Committee on Government and Finance.