WSR 97-04-065
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Filed February 4, 1997, 1:55 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-162 WAC, Animal production standards for organic meat and dairy products.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.86.060.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: National standards for organic livestock production have changed over the last few years. The Washington state standards need to be updated to reflect these changes and clarify the standards to organic livestock producers. The amended rules would clarify labeling standards for organic and other production claims for livestock products.
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 amended rules are being developed with the assistance of the Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Advisory Board and other interested parties within the organic food industry.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Miles McEvoy, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Organic Food Program, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1836, FAX (360) 902-2087, e-mail mmcevoy@agr.wa.gov. The proposed amended rules will be discussed on April 16 in Ellensburg, Washington.
February 3, 1997
Candace Jacobs
Assistant Director