Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amending chapter 16-436 WAC, Peach standards, by repealing WAC 16-436-186 Containers, removing all container requirements associated with peaches.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.17 RCW, Standards of grades and packs and chapter 34.05 RCW, Administrative Procedure Act.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: By removing the container requirements growers/packers and shippers would be allowed to pack and market various types of containers that may be requested or required by the buyers and the consuming public.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: In response to a request from the Washington state fruit commission, the Washington state department of agriculture staff will develop the rule proposal. In turn, industry representatives will review and comment on the proposed rule amendments. Interested parties can participate in the public hearing/public comment process, the dates of which will be announced when the department files the rule proposal with the code reviser.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jim Quigley, Program Manager, Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1833, fax (360) 902-2085, e-mail jquigley@agr.wa.gov.

February 1, 2006

Robert W. Gore

Assistant Director