PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: To amend chapter 16-484 WAC, Potato virus Y-N quarantine.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 17.24 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Washington potato and seed potato growers have requested an evaluation of whether Washington state should amend existing rules to participate in the USA/Canada PVYn management plan. Under this plan samples from lower-generation seed potato lots would be tested for PVYn each year. WSDA would also prohibit importation of seed potatoes from nonparticipating states. Other modifications may be necessary to acknowledge changes in industry practices, environmental conditions, and legislative mandates.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: USDA-APHIS administers the management plan, under which state participation is voluntary.
Process for Developing New Rule: Washington State Department of Agriculture representatives discuss proposed change with affected 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, e-mail mtoohey@agr.wa.gov; 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, e-mail twessels@agr.wa.gov.
December 19, 2001
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director