WSR 97-01-125
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Filed December 19, 1996, 11:00 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Revision of existing rules and standards for certification of seed potatoes.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.14 RCW, Planting stock.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Revision of these rules is proposed to make Washington state seed potato certification activities more closely aligned with other states' programs, federal export standards, and current market demands. Several obsolete portions of the existing rules may be eliminated and an updated format adopted.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service sets export standards for this commodity. The proposed changes in Washington State Department of Agriculture rules would move the state standards into closer conformity with federal export standards (therefore facilitating export trade); however, the United States Department of Agriculture's standards are not mandatory for state programs or interstate trade.
Process for Developing New Rule: This proposal is submitted at the request of the affected industry. The Washington State Department of Agriculture has met with representatives of the seed potato industry on several occasions and with the Seed Potato Commission at least twice in developing this proposal. There are currently approximately eighteen certified seed potato growers in Washington, and each of them has been consulted by mail.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting John Wraspir, Plant Services Inspector, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services Division, 1000 North Forest Street, Suite 202, Bellingham, WA 98225, phone (360) 676-6739, FAX (360) 738-2458, or Roger Hawley, Chairman, Washington Seed Potato Commission, P.O. Box 286, Lynden, WA 98264, phone (360) 354-4670, FAX (360) 354-4670.
December 19, 1996
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director