WSR 08-23-075

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


[ Filed November 18, 2008, 9:37 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 08-20-020.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 16-86 WAC, Cattle and bison diseases in Washington state.

     Hearing Location(s): Kittitas County Event Center, Heritage Center, 512 North Poplar Street, Ellensburg, WA 98926, on December 29, 2008, at 9:00 a.m.; and at the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street S.E., First Floor Conference Room #175A&B, Olympia, WA 98504, on December 30, 2008, at 1:00 p.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: January 9, 2009.

     Submit Written Comments to: Dannie McQueen, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail WSDARulesComments@agr.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2092, by 5:00 p.m., January 2, 2009.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact WSDA receptionist by December 22, 2008, TTY (800) 833-6388 or 711.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Washington state has seen an increase in tuberculosis cases from cattle imported into this state. The United States Department of Agriculture's Tuberculosis Uniform Methods and Rules now have standards for tuberculosis responder detection rates for private veterinarians performing caudal fold testing. Washington must meet these standards to assure proper testing measures are in place to protect the industry. The Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) is proposing rules to require training for private veterinarians who perform tuberculosis testing.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: By requiring that private veterinarians are properly trained to perform tuberculosis caudal fold tests, the state of Washington will meet the standards required under the United States Department of Agriculture's Tuberculosis Uniform Methods and Rules and will help protect the livestock industry and the public's health.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW.

     Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 16.36 RCW.

     Rule is necessary because of federal law, [no further information supplied by agency].

     Name of Proponent: WSDA, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Paul Kohrs, DVM, Olympia, (360) 902-1835; and Enforcement: Leonard Eldridge, DVM, Olympia, (360) 902-1878.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. RCW 19.85.030 (1)(a) requires that an agency prepare a small business economic impact statement (SBEIS) for proposed rules that impose a more than minor cost on businesses in an industry. The department has analyzed the economic effects of the proposed revisions and has concluded that they are negligible costs on the regulated industry and, therefore, a formal SBEIS is not required.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The WSDA is not a listed agency under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a)(i).

November 18, 2008

Leonard E. Eldridge, DVM

State Veterinarian

OTS-2039.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-01-094, filed 12/17/07, effective 1/17/08)

WAC 16-86-005   Definitions.   In addition to the definitions found in RCW 16.36.005, the following definitions apply to this chapter:

     "Accredited veterinarian" means a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry in the state of Washington and approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Veterinary Services to participate in state-federal cooperative programs.

     "Breed registry tattoo" means individual registry tattoos issued by breed associations.

     "Brucellosis vaccine" means only those Brucella abortus products that are approved by and produced under license of the USDA for injection into cattle to enhance their resistance to brucellosis.

     "Department" means the Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA).

     "Director" means the director of WSDA or the director's authorized representative.

     "Official calfhood vaccinate" means female cattle between four and twelve months of age that are vaccinated with brucellosis vaccine at a calfhood dose (2cc subcutaneously).

     "Official identification" means identifying an animal or group of animals using devices or methods approved by the director, including, but not limited to, official tags, unique breed registry tattoos, and registered brands when accompanied by a certificate of inspection from a brand inspection authority who is recognized by the director.

     "Official Washington mature vaccinate" means female cattle over the age of twelve months that are native to Washington state, or originate from other class free states or countries to be determined on a case-by-case investigation by the director, and vaccinated with a reduced dose of brucellosis vaccine (0.25cc subcutaneously) under directions issued by the director.

     "Premises" means a location or physical address.

     "Timed events" means competitive events that take place where time elapsed is the factor that determines the placing of individuals competing in the event.

     "USDA" means the United States Department of Agriculture.

     "Vaccination tattoo" means a tattoo in the right ear bearing the United States registered shield and V preceded by a number indicating the quarter of the year and followed by a number corresponding to the last digit of the year in which the animal was vaccinated with strain 19 Brucella vaccine. For strain RB-51 calfhood vaccination, an R precedes the shield and V. In the case of strain RB-51 mature vaccination, an M precedes the shield and V. For strain RB-51 vaccinates, the last number of the tattoo corresponds to the last digit of the year in which vaccine was administered.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW. 08-01-094, § 16-86-005, filed 12/17/07, effective 1/17/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.040. 99-09-025, § 16-86-005, filed 4/15/99, effective 5/16/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.096 and 16.36.040. 90-10-045 (Order 2035), § 16-86-005, filed 4/30/90, effective 5/31/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 16.36.040 and 16.36.050. 87-08-020 (Order 1917), § 16-86-005, filed 3/25/87. Statutory Authority: Chapter 16.36 RCW. 84-08-037 (Order 1814), § 16-86-005, filed 3/30/84; Order 1539, § 16-86-005, filed 10/17/77.]


NEW SECTION
WAC 16-86-125   Duties of accredited veterinarians -- Training requirement for veterinarians performing tuberculosis testing in cattle and bison.   (1) All testing of cattle or bison in Washington state for tuberculosis shall be performed by a veterinarian accredited by the United State Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). In addition, all accredited veterinarians testing cattle or bison in Washington state for tuberculosis are required to successfully complete training in tuberculosis testing procedures provided by USDA or the department. Accredited veterinarians who have not successfully completed the training by April 30, 2010, may not perform official tuberculosis testing of cattle or bison in Washington state. A schedule of training opportunities is available by contacting the department at:


     Washington State Department of Agriculture

     Animal Services Division

     1111 Washington Street S.E.

     P.O. Box 42577

     Olympia, Washington 98504-2577

     360-902-1878.


     (2) The department may review the testing results and other records associated with tuberculosis testing of cattle or bison by accredited veterinarians in Washington state. In the event that the response rates reported by an accredited veterinarian do not meet the response rates standards established in Appendix C of the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules, effective January 1, 2005 (adopted in WAC 16-86-120), the director may require additional training or may refuse to accept the testing of cattle or bison for tuberculosis performed by that veterinarian.

[]

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office