H. C. R. 64


(By Delegates Kelley, Boggs, Willis and Evans)



"Urging the West Virginia congressional delegation to support legislation relating to permitting interstate shipment of state-inspected meat and poultry."

Whereas, Interstate shipment of state-inspected meat and poultry products is presently prohibited; and
Whereas, For the first time in many years, interstate shipment of state-inspected meat and poultry products is on the horizon; and
Whereas, The United States Department of Agriculture has completed drafting a bill that will remove existing prohibition on the interstate shipment of state-inspected products; and
Whereas, Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman recently made a formal announcement that the United States Department of Agriculture supports interstate shipment of state-inspected products; and
Whereas, The bill drafted by the federal agency will soon be submitted to the United States Congress; and
Whereas, The United States Department of Agriculture requests the bill to become effective January 25, 2000, to coincide with the nationwide implementation of the HACCP-based inspection systems in all state and federally-inspected meat and poultry establishments; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature urges Senator Robert C. Byrd, Senator Jay Rockefeller, Congressman Nick Rahall, Congressman Alan Mollohan, Congressman Bob Wise and USDA Secretary Dan Glickman to support legislation permitting interstate shipment of state-inspected meat and poultry products; and, be it
Further Resolved, That meat and poultry products, which have been inspected by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and slaughtered in West Virginia slaughterhouses, be permitted to be shipped across state lines; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Senator Robert C. Byrd, Senator Jay Rockefeller, Congressman Nick Rahall, Congressman Alan Mollohan, Congressman Bob Wise and USDA Secretary Dan Glickman.