PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-54 WAC, Animal importation.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department proposes to amend chapter 16-54 WAC to update import requirements to be consistent with other states. Other proposed amendments include changes to the poultry, swine and virgin bull definitions and to amend the current laboratory testing requirements.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: The Washington state department of agriculture staff will develop the rule proposal with the help of industry input. Interested parties will be given the opportunity to participate during the public hearing and public comment process.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jodi Jones, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 902-1889, fax (360) 902-2087, lbriscoe@agr.wa.gov.
December 17, 2009
Leonard E. Eldridge, DVM
Assistant Director