SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 93

(By Senator Oliverio)


Requesting the United State Congress examine the stringent rules and regulations regarding America's beef industry.

Whereas, While America has stringent rules and regulations in place to regulate the beef industry, it has become evident that there are areas that should be addressed to ensure that the industry is processing safe supplies for consumers in this country and around the world; and
Whereas, A test for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), also known as Mad Cow disease, would reassure the public and America's trading partners that the industry is BSE safe; and
Whereas, Presently, crippled animals are removed from commercial harvest facilities which also removes them from potential testing of diseases, including BSE; and
Whereas, Other issues involve the age of cattle entering the harvest facility and the presorting methods used in the industry which have a direct impact on U. S. producers; and
Whereas, A national identification system, combined with production records, could assist the industry until a test for BSE is initiated; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the United States Congress examine the stringent rules and regulations regarding America's beef industry; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the United States Congress should seek to initiate and invest in programs which could lead to a quick testing of the beef industry for BSE and positive identification of individual animals for tracing herd of origin; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to West Virginia's congressional delegation.