SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2555

BYRepresentatives Rayburn, Nealey, McLean and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Agriculture

Repealing the Washington Animal Remedy Act.

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 15, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Gaspard, Hansen, Madsen, Newhouse.

Senate Staff:Bob Lee (786-7404)

                  February 15, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FEBRUARY 15, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Animal Remedy Act is administered by the Department of Agriculture.  This act regulates the registration, distribution, and sale of livestock remedies, which include those for any animal under human control and adapted to human use or pleasure.

The Uniform Washington Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is administered by the Department of Agriculture.  Among the substances regulated in intrastate commerce under the act are (1) articles used for food or drink for humans or animals, and (2) drugs intended to affect the structure or function of the body of a human or animal.

The livestock diseases and quarantine statutes are also administered by the director.  Under these laws, the director has the authority to regulate the sale, distribution, and use of veterinary biologics to protect the health and safety of the public and the state's animal population.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Animal Remedy Act is repealed.

The repealed act regulates the registration, distribution, and sale of livestock remedies, provides grounds for refusing to grant a registration and for cancelling a registration, and requires registration fees to be deposited in the agriculture local fund for use in administering the act.

The repealed provisions also prohibit remedies from containing injurious ingredients or those that are known to be of little or no value, prohibit persons from making false or misleading claims regarding remedies, permit the director to gain entry to facilities manufacturing, distributing, or selling remedies, and to take samples, and authorize the director to seize prohibited products.  The repealed provisions also grant the director rule- making authority regarding the act and prescribe penalties for violations of the act.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Mike Schiwsow, Department of Agriculture