WSR 98-24-098

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Filed December 2, 1998, 8:14 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-59 WAC, Importation of poultry and hatching eggs.

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: Chapter 16-59 WAC allows for control, surveillance and eradication of important poultry diseases with public health implications.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services. USDA-APHIS, national poultry improvement plan. Egg inspection program in the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Food Safety/Animal Health Division. RCW 16.36.100 authorizes the director to cooperate with agencies of Washington, other states and the federal government. A general cooperative agreement with USDA-APHIS, VS, delineates each agency's responsibilities.

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. Kathleen Connell, Assistant State Veterinarian, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Food Safety/Animal Health Division, P.O. Box 42577, Olympia, WA 98405-2577 [98504-2577], (360) 902-1878, fax (360) 902-2087, e-mail kconnell@agr.wa.gov.

December 2, 1998

Candace Jacobs, DVM

Assistant Director