(1) The Washington state department of agriculture is establishing the asparagus equipment lease program to implement section 308(10), chapter 276, Laws of 2004 (ESHB 2459), which directs the Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) to purchase agricultural products packing equipment and to negotiate an appropriate agreement with the agricultural industry for the use of that equipment.

(2) The asparagus equipment lease program allows Washington state packers and handlers of Washington asparagus to lease with an opportunity to purchase automated labor saving equipment that will strengthen their postharvest efforts to efficiently handle or pack fresh, frozen or pickled asparagus.