                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

EXPANSION OF THE COMMONWEALTH&#8217;S SLAUGHTER AND MEAT-PROCESSING FACILITIES
(§ 3.2-108.2)

A. It is the policy of the Commonwealth to encourage the growth of all segments
of its agricultural industry. The General Assembly finds that the livestock
industry has a significant impact on the Commonwealth&#8217;s economy and that
it is to the Commonwealth&#8217;s benefit to encourage, expand, and develop
slaughter and meat-processing facilities with strategic planning and programs
that provide financial incentives and technical assistance to encourage and
supplement private capital. The General Assembly finds that it is to the
Commonwealth&#8217;s benefit to maintain a state meat inspection program in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

B. The Department shall establish a strategic plan to increase the combined
throughput capacity of inspected slaughter and meat-processing facilities in the
Commonwealth and provide recommendations to the General Assembly as to how to
implement the strategic plan.

C. To the extent that public or private funds become available, the Department
may establish a program of financial incentives and technical assistance
designed to encourage, expand, and develop slaughter and meat-processing
facilities in the Commonwealth.

HISTORY: 2022, cc. 310, 311.