WSR 98-24-101

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Filed December 2, 1998, 8:17 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-86 WAC, Brucellosis, tuberculosis and scrapie in cattle, goats and sheep.

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: Additional changes beyond the present pilot rule (WSR 98-11-010) to chapter 16-86 WAC are necessary to update language and simplify language concerning interstate pasture permits. Reference to the disease "scrapie" is removed and a separate WAC is being developed for scrapie.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: USDA-APHIS, Veterinary Services, also regulates brucellosis and tuberculosis. Coordination is maintained by regular joint meetings under a 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