PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-54 WAC, Animal importation, the department is reviewing its animal importation rules and may propose to amend them using plain talk language, to update them with current disease information, and to correct references to changed federal regulations.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 16.36, 16.57, and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The rules on this subject need to be amended with current information in order to prevent the entry of contagious animal diseases into the state, to safeguard the state's livestock and the livestock industry, to maintain the state's disease-free certifications, and to correct outdated information.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will discuss any proposed amendments with affected stakeholders. The affected stakeholders will have an opportunity to submit written comments on the proposed rules during the public comment period, and will be able to present written and oral testimony at the public hearing.
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, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Animal Services Division, P.O. Box 42577, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 902-1987.
May 8, 2006
Lynn M. Briscoe
Special Assistant to
the State Veterinarian