WSR 98-24-099

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Filed December 2, 1998, 8:15 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-74 WAC, Livestock testing--Duties of owners.

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: These rules are necessary to provide control, surveillance and eradication of important animal diseases with public health implications. They also require safe working conditions for the animal health program staff and for animals being handled and tested.

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. Food safety program in the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Animal Health Division. RCW 16.36.100 authorizes the director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture 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 98504-2577, (360) 902-1878, fax (360) 902-2087, e-mail kconnell@agr.wa.gov.

December 2, 1998

Candace Jacobs, DVM

Assistant Director