PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 16-302-480 Field standards for rapeseed certification.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.49.310 and chapter 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This proposal is necessary to ensure that there are adequate isolation distances from other Crucifer species that can cross-pollinate with rapeseed (canola). This rule change has become necessary due to the increased production of other Crucifer species in Washington. By ensuring that a new planting of rapeseed (canola) is properly isolated from all contaminating pollen sources, the integrity of the certification process is upheld.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: The Washington state department of agriculture staff will develop the specific rule proposal. In turn, seed industry representatives and the advisory committee 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 Fawad Shah, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Seed Program, 21 North 1st Avenue, Suite 203, Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 225-2636, e-mail Fshah@agr.wa.gov.
February 28, 2006
Robert W. Gore
Assistant Director