Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-54 WAC, Animal importation, the department is considering amending chapter 16-54 WAC to align with recently enacted legislation to require a certificate of veterinary inspection for all livestock imported into a category two restricted holding facility.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In January 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, published a final rule establishing general regulations for improving the traceability of United States livestock moving interstate. The rule became effective on March 11, 2013. Within this rule, USDA does not allow animals to move interstate without securing a certificate of veterinary inspection.

The department is initiating rule making to remove the certificate of veterinary inspection exemption for livestock imported into Washington and destined to a category two restricted holding facility to align with USDA regulations and recently enacted legislation. The department initiated agency request legislation in the 2018 legislative session and supported SB 6369, Certificate of veterinary inspection, to remove the exemption in chapter 16.36 RCW, Animal health.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Veterinary Services, regulates interstate movement of animals and animal disease traceability.

Department staff have been discussing this proposal and our federal partners support changing our regulations to align with current federal regulations.

Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will discuss any proposed amendments with affected stakeholders. Affected stakeholders will also have an opportunity to submit written comments on the proposed rules during the public comment period and will be able to present 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 Jodi Jones, P.O. Box 42577, Olympia, WA 98504-2577, phone 360-902-1889, fax 360-902-2087, email jjones@agr.wa.gov, web site www.agr.wa.gov.