in state farmers ’ markets , tailgate markets , and in purchases by state government .
Regulations governing custom slaughtering plants , locker plants , producer-slaughterers , dairying , syrup making or any other farm-produced product should be modified so as not to eliminate those local services and to allow face-to-face sales from farmer to consumer with minimum government interference .
We recommend that producers ’ check-off funds not be used for political or legislative lobbying .
13 . EQUINE INDUSTRY
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports updating the “ Horse Industry Impact Study on Economic Development and Tourism in WV ” completed in 2005 by WVU .
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 .
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 .
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends that any equine species be included in the National Animal Identification System .
14 . INTERSTATE SHIPMENT OF MEAT
WVFB supports the interstate shipment of meat with appropriate state inspection .
15 . 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 .
West Virginia 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 furbearing animals . The West Virginia Department of
Agriculture should have sole authority in establishing these standards for these animals .
16 . 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 :
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Take recommendations from a technical advisory committee
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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
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Be a permitting agency for those breeding exotic animals
17 . 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 .
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends 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 .
10 West Virginia Farm Bureau News