WSR 97-15-029

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Filed July 9, 1997, 9:47 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendments to chapter 16-164 WAC, Standards for the certification of handlers of organic food.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 15.86.070(1).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Amendments to chapter 16-164 WAC are needed to alter the fee schedule. The revised fee schedule defines classifications for the various types of handlers of organic product and designates the required fees for each classification. The amendments provide an equitable fee schedule for the handler applicants of the organic food 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: 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 August 20, 1997, in Ellensburg, Washington. The department will individually mail to all certified organic handlers and other interested parties copies of the proposed language when the department files the CR-102.

July 7, 1997

Candace A. Jacobs