PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The entire chapter 16-449 WAC, Washington controlled atmosphere storage requirements for winter pears; chapter 16-459 WAC, Controlled atmosphere storage; and chapter 16-690 WAC, Fruit storage.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.17 RCW, Standards of grades and packs.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The agency has conducted a review of the entire chapter 16-449 WAC, Washington controlled atmosphere storage requirements for winter pears; chapter 16-459 WAC, Controlled atmosphere storage; and chapter 16-690 WAC, Fruit storage, under the provisions of the Governor's Executive Order 97-02, and has determined that the rules are necessary, meets the needs of the industry and should be retained. The agency has determined that chapters 16-449, 16-459, and 16-690 WAC should be combined into one chapter for rules regarding controlled atmosphere requirements for fruits and vegetables.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: A rule review of entire chapter 16-449 WAC, Washington controlled atmosphere storage requirements for winter pears; chapter 16-459 WAC, Controlled atmosphere storage; and chapter 16-690 WAC, Fruit storage, was conducted in accordance with the Governor's Executive Order 97-02.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. The department is seeking input on its decision to retain the rule. You may comment by writing to Washington State Department of Agriculture, Administrative Regulations Unit, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, fax (360) 902-2092. Comments should be made by September 1, 2000.
For questions regarding this rule, call Jim Quigley, Program Manager, Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program, phone (360) 902-1833, fax (360) 902-2085.
July 10, 2000
Robert W. Gore
Assistant Director