SB 5891-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Revises provisions relating to livestock identification.

Finds that new federal country of origin labeling requirements, long-term national strategies for monitoring and reporting animal diseases, and potential food safety requirements for homeland security need to be evaluated.

Finds that while livestock identification laws used primarily for theft prevention are being updated, the affected industry with assistance from the department of agriculture should consider whether the current livestock identification system will help to satisfy these emerging requirements or needs to be adapted.

Directs the department to form an advisory committee representing all major sectors of the livestock industry to which federal country of origin labeling requirements will apply. The committee shall evaluate what mechanisms may need to be established by the public, the private sector, or both to comply with the federal country of origin labeling requirements. Included in the topics that should be examined are recordkeeping, identification, and methods of traceability of the origin of various products.

Directs the committee to monitor and evaluate any requirements that may be placed on the meat products industry by federal food safety and traceability requirements as part of homeland security measures. Also, the committee shall review the national identification work plan developed by the national food animal identification task force.

Requires the department to submit a written report of the findings and conclusion of the advisory committee to the appropriate committees of the senate and the house of representatives by December 1, 2005.

Repeals RCW 16.57.380, 16.65.110, 16.65.422, and 16.65.423.