The Following Sections are Proposed for Expedited Repeal: WAC 16-150, Federal meat inspection regulations, all sections; WAC 16-152, Federal poultry inspection regulations, all sections; WAC 16-12, Meat inspection, all sections; and WAC 16-122, Milk distributors ( WAC 16-122-001).

Rules Proposed for Expedited Repeal Meet the Following Criteria: Statute on which the rule was based has been repealed and has not been replaced by another statute providing statutory authority for the rule; and rule is no longer necessary because of changed circumstances.

Any person who objects to the repeal of the rule must file a written objection to the repeal within thirty days after publication of this preproposal statement of inquiry.

Address Your Objection to: Verne E. Hedlund, 1111 Washington Street, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1860, fax (360) 902-2087.

Reason the Expedited Repeal of the Rule is Appropriate: The statute that this rule was based upon, RCW 16.49A, Washington Meat Inspection Act was repealed in the 199 legislature. It is no longer necessary to adopt the federal meat and poultry inspection regulations because the department has not had a meat or poultry inspection program for many years. It was taken over by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1972. The requirement for a milk distributors license under RCW 15.36, Fluid milk, has been repealed by the 1999 legislature.

August 4, 1999

Candace A. Jacobs, DVM

Assistant Director