WSR 98-24-097

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Filed December 2, 1998, 8:13 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-54 WAC, Animal importation.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 16.36.040.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Revisions to chapter 16-54 WAC update language redefining brucellosis vaccination to accommodate new technology, exempts certain privately owned animals from health certificate requirements for visits less than ninety-six hours and removes unnecessary requirements for equine quarantine stations. Requirements are added consistent with scrapie control in sheep and goats.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: USDA-APHIS, Veterinary Services, also regulates interstate movement of animals. We cooperate with APHIS by means of a formal cooperative agreement. Chapter 16.36 RCW allows state animal health rules to be more restrictive than federal rules.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Washington State Department of Agriculture has met with interested parties and industry stakeholders to discuss this proposal. Anyone wishing to receive more information on the proposed rule should contact the department using the information listed below.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Dr. Robert W. Mead, State Veterinarian, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Food Safety/Animal Health Division, P.O. Box 42577, Olympia, WA 98504-2577, (360) 902-1878, fax (360) 902-2087, e-mail rmead@agr.wa.gov.

December 2, 1998

Candace Jacobs, DVM

Assistant Director