HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 2952

BYHouse Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Kremen, McLean, Nealey, Baugher, Hine, Rayburn and Jacobsen)

Extending the organic food certification program to packing sheds and wholesale distributors.

House Committe on Appropriations

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (26)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Appelwick, Belcher, Bowman, Braddock, Brekke, Dorn, Doty, Ebersole, Ferguson, Hine, Inslee, McLean, Nealey, Padden, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:Susan Nakagawa (786-7145)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 12, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Food Safety Division within the Department of Agriculture administers a certification program for producers and processors of organic food.  This is a fee-supported program that ensures that foods labelled as organic have not been contaminated with any synthetic materials.

SUMMARY:

The director of the Department of Agriculture is given additional rule-making authority for certification of organic food.  Packing sheds and wholesale distributors are added to the certification program for which the director may adopt rules.

Revenue:    The bill has a revenue impact.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    John Daley, Assistant Director, Department of Agriculture; and Don Heyrich, Organic Growers representative.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This legislation will help ensure that foods certified as organic are not contaminated.  This program is voluntary and fee-supported.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.