WSR 13-22-081 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE [Filed November 6, 2013, 7:14 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-610 WAC, Livestock brand inspection.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department proposes to amend WAC 16-610-020 to eliminate the livestock inspection exemption for private sales of unbranded, female, dairy breed cattle involving fifteen head or less.
Animal disease traceability in Washington relies on data collected mainly from two existing department of agriculture programs – Our livestock inspection and animal health programs. While the livestock inspection program was historically created to verify ownership and protect assets, the information gathered by the program has become crucial for tracking in-state animal movement, something that is key for traceability. Any exemption undermines the integrity of animal disease traceability and the exemption knowingly leaves a big gap in traceability efforts. This gap in the system places all cattle, beef and dairy, at risk unnecessarily.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: 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, e-mail jjones@agr.wa.gov.
November 6, 2013
Mark Johnson
Acting Assistant Director
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