Subject of Possible Rule Making: Dead animal disposal.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 16.68 RCW, Disposal of dead animals, chapter 16.36 RCW, Animal health.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Over the past several years, the department of health, department of ecology, and the Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) have identified deficiencies in the current regulation of disposal of dead animals. The department of ecology has recently issued guidelines for composting of animal carcasses and the board of health has initiated rule making on the routine disposal of dead animals. Chapters 16.68 and 16.36 RCW authorize WSDA to adopt rules related to the disposal of animals which have died from disease to prevent the spread of animal disease. WSDA is now initiating the rule-making process to address the need for regulation, which provides appropriate options for livestock producers to deal with livestock death and to maintain regulatory consistence among the various state agencies with authority in this area.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department is working in conjunction with the Washington board of health, department of health, and department of ecology. A workgroup has been created with key members from each of these agencies, as well as key stakeholder representative to develop potential rules proposed in this filing.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The draft rule language will be developed as a collaborative effort with a workgroup involving agencies and stakeholder representatives. Interested parties may contact the department for information on how to participate in the workgroup. Once the draft rule language is finalized, notice will be published. Interested parties can submit comments during the public comment period and can also participate during the public hearing process.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Lynn Briscoe, Special Assistant to the State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 42577, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 902-1987, fax (360) 902-2087, e-mail lbriscoe@agr.wa.gov. See above for participation opportunities.

December 28, 2005

Lynn M. Briscoe

Special Assistant to

the State Veterinarian