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: The organic crop production standards need to be updated in light of changes to national and international organic food standards.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Agriculture national organic program and the National Organic Standards Board are developing national organic standards. The department's organic food program is proposing amendments to the organic crop production standards that reflects those standards.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department is developing the proposal in coordination with Organic Advisory Board.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. The department is seeking input on its amendments to the rule(s). You may comment by writing to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Organic Food Program, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, or fax at (360) 902-2087, or e-mail organic@agr.wa.gov. Comments should be made by September 30, 1998.

July 22, 1998

Candace Jacobs, DVM

Assistant Director