PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Comprehensive revision of the standards for the certification of handlers of organic food, chapter 16-164 WAC.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.86 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The revision of chapter 16-164 WAC will improve the integrity of the standards, while simultaneously aligning them with current national standards. Revisions will clarify the standards in areas such as the storage and handling of organic products, the approved and prohibited post harvest materials and practices, and record-keeping requirements. The rules may be expanded to include standards for certification of retailers.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: The agency is developing the proposal in coordination with the Organic Advisory Board.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, fax (360) 902-2087, e-mail mmcevoy@agr.wa.gov. Comments should be made by September 15, 2000.
July 12, 2000
Candace Jacobs
Assistant Director