PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: To amend chapter 16-333 WAC, Rules and standards for certification of plants.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.14 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: A strong caneberry certification program is needed to provide caneberry growers with a reliable source of disease free planting stock of known origin. This proposal will clarify requirements for nuclear, foundation, registered and certified planting stock, better define other certification requirements, increase fees within the appropriate fiscal growth factor, and consider technological changes in the industry such as in-vitro propagation. This proposal would also revise the caneberry certification rule to reflect current practices in industry and convert existing provisions into clear and readable format.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Washington State Department of Agriculture representatives discuss proposed rule change with affected government agencies and stakeholders and then publish the rule proposal.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Mary A. Martin Toohey, Assistant Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094; or Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094.
October 20, 1999
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director