WSR 00-05-100

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


[ Filed February 16, 2000, 9:46 a.m. ]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Standards, definitions and labeling requirements for red raspberries.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 69.04 RCW, Intrastate commerce in food, drugs and cosmetics and chapter 15.17 RCW, Standards of grades and packs.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule establishes definitions, standards and labeling requirements for red raspberries that have been harvested by various means or processed for use in different products. This is to ensure that the red raspberries used in red raspberry products have been properly handled and are properly labeled.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: USDA has standards for red raspberries. The definitions and labeling standards we are adopting will be in addition to the USDA grades. They will not replace the USDA grade standards.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department will work with and seek comments from the Red Raspberry Commission, growers and processors.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Comments will be accepted for thirty days after the date of publication of this order. Please direct written comments to Verne E. Hedlund, Washington State Department of Agriculture, 1111 Washington Street, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560 or by telephone to (360) 902-1860, fax (360) 902-2087.

February 16, 2000

Candace A. Jacobs, DVM

Assistant Director

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