PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: To amend chapter 16-462 WAC, Grapevines -- Registration and certification.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.14 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The grapevine certification program, as it is currently structured in rule, does not offer growers the currently desired varieties. This results in a large influx of certified grapevines from out of state. A change in the certification rules to recognize additional foundation sources would enhance the varieties available through the Washington grapevine certification program. Other changes may be proposed to bring the rule into concurrence with current industry practices and/or clear and readable format.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Washington State Department of Agriculture representatives discuss proposed change with affected stakeholders and then publish the rule proposal.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Mary A. Martin Toohey, Assistant Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094, or Mtoohey@agr.wa.gov; or Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094, Twessels@agr.wa.gov.
October 3, 2001
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director