All potato plantings in excess of one acre must be enrolled in the seed potato certification program described in chapter
16-324 WAC. All commercial potato plantings of one acre or less must either be enrolled in the seed potato certification program or planted exclusively with certified seed potatoes. Affected growers shall be responsible for all associated fees as required in chapter
16-324 WAC. All potatoes entering the isolation district for planting, processing or further sale, except for those intended for immediate human consumption, must be derived from tested mother lots and found negative for bacterial ring rot by an approved laboratory at origin. This requirement does not apply to shipments merely transiting through the district where the potatoes will not be planted, processed, or sold within the district. Shipments entering or transiting through the isolation district must be covered in a manner that safeguards pathogen dispersal.
The receiver must give prior notification to the department of all lots of seed potatoes entering the isolation district and hold all shipments for 24 hours after delivery, to allow the department to contact the receiver for inspection. Notification may be by email or facsimile to:
• Email: PlantServices@agr.wa.gov; or
Documentation must include bacterial ring rot test results from a laboratory approved by the director and a bill of lading showing address of shipper and receiver.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
15.14.015,
15.15.010,
17.24.011, and
17.24.041. WSR 23-17-083, § 16-325-020, filed 8/15/23, effective 9/15/23. Statutory Authority: Chapter
15.15 RCW. WSR 98-09-071, § 16-325-020, filed 4/20/98, effective 5/21/98.]