EQUINE INDUSTRY
The West Virginia Farm Bureau supports updating
the “Horse Industry Impact Study on Economic
Development and Tourism in WV” completed in
2005 by WVU.
The West Virginia Farm Bureau supports the
development of private facilities and public facilities
to promote equine industry growth with a focus on
educational programs, activities and tourism.
The West Virginia Farm Bureau supports the
recognition and classification of horses and other
equine as a farm animal and their inclusion in state
and national census counts. We also support the
classification of the equine industry as an agricultural
enterprise.
The West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends
that any equine species be included in the National
Animal Identification System.
INTERSTATE SHIPMENT OF MEAT
WVFB supports the implementation of the 2008
Farm Bill provisions that support the interstate
shipment of meat.
REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF
LIVESTOCK, POULTRY AND
AQUACULTURE
Farm profits depend on good animal care;
therefore, farmers have an inherent interest in
practicing good animal care.
Farm Bureau opposes legislation that would
give private organizations or public agencies, other
than the West Virginia Department of Agriculture,
the authority to establish standards for the raising,
handling, feeding, housing or transportation of
livestock, poultry and fur-bearing animals. The West
Virginia Department of Agriculture should have sole
authority in establishing these standards for these
animals.
CREATION OF EXOTIC ANIMAL
REGULATION BOARD AND
AUTHORITIES
Through the legislative process, WVDA should
be given the authority to regulate the possession
and sale of certain exotic species by amending
the Animal Regulations Act. These changes, as
prescribed by the WVDA, will help protect the health
and safety of humans and the state’s agricultural
and forestry industries, its wildlife and other natural
resource interests from the introduction or spread
of disease. This much-needed alteration to the
Animal Regulations Act will also support stronger
enforcement of the Homeland Security Act pertaining
to agro terrorism.
The creation of an animal regulation board –
which would include the Commissioner of the
Department of Agriculture, the Commissioner of
the Bureau for Public Health and the Director of the
Division of Natural Resources – should be included
in the language of the legislation granting the WVDA
the aforementioned powers.
This board will be authorized to:
Take recommendations from a technical
advisory committee
Seize and quarantine animals when there is
probable cause to suspect the animal poses
a threat to the health and safety of humans,
other animals or certain industries
Be a registering agency for pet shops
Be a permitting agency for those breeding
exotic animals
NAMING AND LABELING OF FOOD
PRODUCTS
Misleading advertising is being practiced
pertaining to imitation food products. This is
especially true for milk, milk products and red meat,
and causes considerable misunderstanding among
consumers.
We recommend the adoption of regulations
providing that ingredients and cultural practices
be clearly and correctly identified on labels and in
advertising. Labels should also show the country of
origin of all imported ingredients.
AGROTERRORISM AND
BIOTERRORISM
The West Virginia Farm Bureau supports
the actions of the West Virginia Department of
Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture,
Department of Homeland Security and other
organizations to identify the impact of terrorism
on agriculture and