Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-54 WAC, Animal importation, the department is considering amendments throughout the entire chapter that will clarify language, update references, bring procedures into line with industry needs.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 16.36.040.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To prevent the introduction and dissemination of vesicular stomatitis among the livestock of Washington, we need to update the rule. Vesicular stomatitis is a disease that has started to occur on a yearly basis in states bordering Mexico. It presently has been diagnosed in Arizona and New Mexico. At this time we will also be updating other changes that include another reference for a health certificate entitled certificate of veterinary inspection, creating a section covering illegal importation of animals infected with or exposed to reportable diseases under the OIE disease list, clarification on age for rabies vaccination on dogs and cats entering Washington state and the elimination of brucellosis and tuberculosis testing on alpacas and llamas being imported into the state. The present WAC has not been updated since 1999.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: USDA-APHIS, Veterinary Services. RCW 16.36.100 authorizes the director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture to cooperate with agencies of Washington, other states and the federal government.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Due to the seriousness of preventing the introduction and dissemination of vesicular stomatitis and other reportable diseases among livestock in Washington state, the Department of Agriculture has been making contact with affected stakeholder organizations regarding the rule proposal. In addition, other communication tools will be utilized regarding this matter. All interested persons are encouraged to contact the agency contact person below with their questions and comments.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Dr. Leonard E. Eldridge, State Veterinarian, Food Safety, Animal Health and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 42577, Olympia, WA 98504-2577, (360) 902-1881, fax (360) 902-2087, e-mail leldridge@agr.wa.gov.

May 17, 2005

Kathy Kravit-Smith

Assistant Director