WSR 98-05-104

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Filed February 18, 1998, 11:35 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: To delete WAC 16-32-009 which contains an outdated schedule of laboratory fees, and to add two new additional optional services offering improved testing for Bovine Leukemia virus and Johne's disease of cattle.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 16.38.060.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: New testing methods have made it possible for the Microbiology Laboratory to provide better service to the livestock industry and animal health.

Process for Developing New Rule: Washington State Department of Agriculture representatives discuss proposed rules with affected stakeholders and then publish the rule proposal.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Linda Polzin, Microbiology Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 753-2228, FAX (360) 753-5047, e-mail lpolzin@agr.wa.gov.

December 3, 1997

Mary A. Martin Toohey