WSR 14-18-087

POLICY STATEMENT

[Filed September 3, 2014, 10:27 a.m.]

Number: PS-14-0001

Subject: Quarantine pest in seed potatoes – Candadatus liberibacter.

Description: The Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) is establishing by policy Candadatus liberibacter to be a quarantine pest in seed potatoes. WAC 16-324-398 establishes tolerances for seed potato field inspections including a zero tolerance for potato spindle tuber viroid and other quarantine pests. WAC 16-324-361 defines a quarantine pest as "a pest of potential economic importance and not yet present in the state, or present but not widely distributed and being officially controlled." Candadatus liberibacter, the causal agent of zebra chip disease, is a pest of economic importance because potatoes infected with zebra chip are unsuitable for processing. Zebra chip is occasionally detected in Washington state but is not widely distributed. Therefore, WSDA considers Candadatus liberibacter to be a quarantine pest and will record its presence during seed potato inspections and withhold certification on infected lots until infected plants are rogued or discarded. The policy does not amend or replace applicable laws and rules and in the event of a conflict or inconsistency the laws and rules supersede this policy.

To receive a copy of the interpretive or policy statement contact Rules Coordinator, Administrative Regulations Office, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-2043, fax (360) 902-2092, TDD 1-800-833-6388.

September 2, 2014

Don R. Hover

Director