Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 01-20-097.

     Title of Rule: Rules in chapter 16-462 WAC relating to grape planting stock.

     Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to provide the grape industries of Washington with high quality planting stock that is free of harmful pests and true to type.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 15.14 RCW.

     Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 15.14 RCW.

     Summary: This proposal would update the grapevine certification program. Under the existing rules registered vines must be propagated from the foundation vineyard at Washington State University. This proposal would allow participants to use the larger foundation vineyards at the University of California.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Adoption of these amendments to the existing rule would improve the grapevine certification program by increasing the varieties available as Washington certified stock and by certifying the stock apparently free from two additional virus diseases. Existing text would also be clarified.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Tom Wessels, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, WA, (360) 902-1984; Implementation and Enforcement: Mary Toohey, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, WA, (360) 902-1907.

     Name of Proponent: Washington State Department of Agriculture, governmental.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Chapter 16-462 WAC establishes rules for the registration and certification of grape planting stock. Certified planting stock is considered desirable, because it is grown under standardized conditions specified in rule, that help verify that the stock is free of certain diseases and pests. The stock generally commands a market premium because of this certification for quality. Grower participation in the certification program is voluntary. The changes proposed for the existing rule expand the number of grapevine varieties and clones available to the grower by allowing additional foundation stock from other states to be entered in the program. The proposed changes also expand the scope of the certification to address two additional virus diseases and clarify existing language.

     Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: This proposal would allow participants in the grapevine certification program to propagate registered vines from foundation sources determined by the director to be equivalent to the foundation block at Washington State University, and clarifies the existing requirement for maintaining documentation of the source of registered and certified stock. It also changes the certification standard to require freedom from two additional viruses, and clarifies existing language.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed change will not have a significant economic effect on small business.

     RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. The Washington State Department of Agriculture is not a listed agency.

     Hearing Location: Washington State Department of Agriculture, Conference Room, 21 North 1st Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902, on May 9, 2002, at 11:00 a.m.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jodi Jones by May 6, 2002, TDD (360) 902-1996, or (360) 902-1806.

     Submit Written Comments to: Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail twessels@agr.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-2094, by close of business May 10, 2002.

     Date of Intended Adoption: May 17, 2002.

April 3, 2002

Mary A. Martin Toohey

Assistant Director

OTS-5541.3

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-12-025, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99)

WAC 16-462-015   Definitions.   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

     (1) "Aseptic shoot tip propagation" means aseptically removing a vegetative shoot tip from growth arising from a dormant cutting from a foundation plant or from green growth (i.e., softwood) from a foundation plant during the growing season and aseptically transferring this shoot tip to a suitable vessel containing an appropriate culture medium.

     (2) "Certified grape planting stock" means vines, rooted cuttings, cuttings or grafted plants taken or propagated directly from foundation vines, registered vines or certified ((plants grown in a green house for one year and certified)) in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

     (3) "Department" means the department of agriculture of the state of Washington.

     (4) "Director" means the director of the department of agriculture or the director's designee.

     (5) "Foundation block" means a planting of grapevines established, operated and maintained by Washington State University, or other equivalent sources approved in writing by the director, that are indexed and found free from viruses designated in this chapter and that are not off-type.

     (6) "Index" means determining whether a virus infection is present by means of inoculation from the plant to be tested to an indicator plant or by any other testing method approved by the department.

     (7) "Indicator plant" means any herbaceous or woody plant used to index or determine virus infection.

     (8) "Off-type" means appearing under visual examination to be different from the variety listed on the application for registration ((or)) and certification, or exhibiting symptoms of a genetic or nontransmissible disorder.

     (9) "Registered block" means a planting of registered grapevines maintained by a nursery and used as a source of propagation material for certified grapevines.

     (10) "Registered vine" means any vine propagated from ((the)) a foundation block approved by the director, identified ((by the number assigned to the original)) to a single vine ((in the foundation block from which it was propagated)) source, and registered with the Washington state department of agriculture, in compliance with provisions of this chapter.

     (11) "Virus-like" means a graft-transmissible disorder with symptoms resembling a characterized virus disease, including, but not limited to, disorders caused by viroids and phytoplasmas.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.14 RCW. 99-12-025, § 16-462-015, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99; 86-08-078 (Order 1883), § 16-462-015, filed 4/2/86; 78-10-072 (Order 1583), § 16-462-015, filed 9/27/78; Order 1397, § 16-462-015, filed 4/7/75; Order 1193, § 16-462-015, filed 4/19/71; Order 1084, § 16-462-015, filed 4/2/68.]

     (2) The applicant must maintain ((the identity)) records identifying the source of registered vines((. The applicant must maintain records identifying the source of)) and certified planting stock. The applicant must make these records available to the department upon request.

     (3) The applicant shall take suitable precautions in cultivation, irrigation, movement and use of equipment, and in other farming practices, to guard against spread of soil-borne pests to planting stock entered in this program. The applicant shall keep all registered blocks and certified planting stock clean cultivated except for approved cover crops.

     (4) Following notification by the department the applicant shall remove and destroy immediately any registered vine or certified planting stock found to be off-type or affected by a virus or virus-like disease or a ((quarantined)) quarantine pest.

     (5) ((The foundation block,)) Registered blocks and certified planting stock must be located at least one hundred feet from any land on which noncertified or nonregistered grape vines have been grown within the past ten years.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.14 RCW. 99-12-025, § 16-462-020, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99; 86-08-078 (Order 1883), § 16-462-020, filed 4/2/86; 78-10-072 (Order 1583), § 16-462-020, filed 9/27/78; Order 1193, § 16-462-020, filed 4/19/71; Order 1084, § 16-462-020, filed 4/2/68.]

     (2) With the exception of practices allowed in subsections (3) and (4) of this section, registered plants must be propagated directly from cuttings taken from ((the)) a foundation block.

     (3) Plants propagated from ((the)) a foundation block by aseptic shoot tip propagation and grown entirely under greenhouse conditions may serve as a source of softwood cuttings or shoot tip culture used to establish a registered block or registered grapevines.

     (4) Registered grapevines may be propagated from other registered grapevines within the same registered block for the purpose of increasing the size of the registered block or for replacement ((grape vines)) grapevines.

     (5) Grapevines of different varieties in registered blocks must be separated by a minimum of twelve feet within the row. The distance between rows of different varieties must be a minimum of eight feet.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.14 RCW. 99-12-025, § 16-462-021, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99.]

     (2) Cuttings from registered blocks must be sorted and kept separate by variety and selection number or clone.

     (3) Treatment to control nematodes and other soil-borne pests may be required at any time by the department.

     (4) All certified planting stock other than greenhouse grown plants must comply with the grades and standards for Washington certified grape planting stock as listed in WAC 16-462-055.

     (5) Certification is based solely on ((visual inspection of grape planting stock that is found to meet)) compliance with the requirements prescribed in WAC 16-462-050 and other requirements of this chapter.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.14 RCW. 99-12-025, § 16-462-022, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99.]

     (2) ((The foundation block and registered blocks must be indexed and reindexed periodically, as required to comply with)) The department will index registered grapevines by methods listed in Appendix 1 of the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) ((standards for phytosanitary measures - requirements for the importation of grapevines into a NAPPO member country)) Grapevine Standard.

     (3) ((Two inspections of foundation and registered planting stock must be performed by the department)) The department will conduct at least two inspections of registered grapevines during each growing season.

     (4) Except for varieties to be used solely as rootstock, ((foundation and)) registered grape vines used for the production of certified planting stock must be pruned to allow some fruiting.

     (5) ((Certified planting stock must be inspected)) The department will inspect certified planting stock at least three times per ((growing season by the department)) year, twice during the growing season and once during or after harvest.

     (6) ((Certification or registration will be refused or withdrawn)) The department will refuse or withdraw registration or certification for any planting stock ((which)) that is infested or infected with any quarantine pest.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.14 RCW. 99-12-025, § 16-462-025, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99; 86-08-078 (Order 1883), § 16-462-025, filed 4/2/86; Order 1193, § 16-462-025, filed 4/19/71; Order 1084, § 16-462-025, filed 4/2/68.]

     (2) Application for ((inspection)) registration and certification shall be filed with the department by January 1 of each year accompanied by a one hundred seventy-five dollar application fee.

     (3) Inspection, phytosanitary certification, indexing and testing fees are due upon completion of services.

     (4) Fees for inspection, phytosanitary certification, and testing shall be assessed at the appropriate rate established in chapters 16-401 and 16-470 WAC. Mileage for inspections and other on-site services shall be charged at a rate established by the state office of financial management.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.14 RCW. 00-01-149, § 16-462-030, filed 12/21/99, effective 1/21/00; 99-12-025, § 16-462-030, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99; 93-17-022 (Order 5001), § 16-462-030, filed 8/11/93, effective 9/11/93; 86-08-078 (Order 1883), § 16-462-030, filed 4/2/86; 78-10-072 (Order 1583), § 16-462-030, filed 9/27/78; Order 1397, § 16-462-030, filed 4/7/75; Order 1193, § 16-462-030, filed 4/19/71; Order 1084, § 16-462-030, filed 4/2/68.]

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.14 RCW. 99-12-025, § 16-462-050, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99; 86-08-078 (Order 1883), § 16-462-050, filed 4/2/86.]

     Reviser's note: The spelling error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-12-025, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99)

WAC 16-462-055   Certified grape planting stock -- Grades and standards.   All certified stock offered for sale must be bundled in accordance with commercial practice and correctly identified by one or more legible printed labels.

     (1) Grades for rooted cuttings are as follows:

     (a) Grade No. 1 must have one live cane at least nine inches long and must be well rooted.

     (b) Grade No. 2 must have one live cane at least six inches long and must be well rooted.

     (2) Cuttings must have at least three buds and be at least nine inches long. The basal bud must be within one-half inch of the basal end.

     (3) Two-year plants shall meet the same standard as rooted cutting Grade No. 1.

     (4) ((Tolerances.)) In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and packing, not more than a combined total of five percent by count, of the plants or cuttings in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the grades set forth in this section.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.14 RCW. 99-12-025, § 16-462-055, filed 5/25/99, effective 6/25/99; 86-08-078 (Order 1883), § 16-462-055, filed 4/2/86.]

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