§19-2B-1. Purpose and construction.

Subject to the provisions of section seven of this article, the basic purpose of this article is to provide for the inspection, labeling and disposition of animals, poultry, carcasses, meat products and poultry products which are to be sold or offered for sale through commercial outlets for human consumption, the licensing of commercial slaughterers, custom slaughterers and processors, and the inspection of slaughterhouses and processing plants located in the State of West Virginia. This article, being intended to protect the health of the citizens of West Virginia, shall be liberally construed.