PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-324 WAC, Rules for the certification of seed potatoes, the department is proposing to revise the current seed potato certification rule by repealing the requirement for PVY testing for Generation 1 lots.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 15.14 and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is proposing to revise the current seed potato certification rule by repealing the requirement for PVY testing for Generation 1 lots because of changes in the US-Canada necrotic virus management plan. The PVY testing for Generation 1 seed potato lots was required in the US-Canada necrotic virus management plan. The management plan was recently revised to repeal this requirement because of changes in the genetic make-up of PVY. This testing is now an unnecessary expense for growers enrolled in the voluntary certification program.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
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 Mary A. Martin Toohey, Assistant Director, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail mtoohey@agr.wa.gov; or Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail twessels@agr.wa.gov.
January 23, 2008
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director