PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-70 WAC, Animals diseases -- Reporting, the department is proposing to amend the rules to bring them current with World Organization of Animal Health's list of notifiable diseases and to clarify the requirements for the reporting of emergency diseases.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This proposal is needed to bring current rules up-to-date regarding the diseases that are classified as notifiable and reportable and to clarify reporting requirements. The proposal will help protect the health, safety, and welfare of the state's animal population and industry. It will also help protect the health, safety, and welfare of the state's human population, as cases of diseases with zoonotic potential will be reported immediately.
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 Washington state department of agriculture staff will develop the rule proposal and will communicate with stakeholders, veterinary educational institutions, and other interested parties for their review and comment. Interested parties can also participate in the public hearing/public comment process, the dates of which will be announced when the department files the rule proposal with the code reviser.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Lynn Briscoe, Special Assistant to the State Veterinarian, P.O. Box 42560, 1111 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1987.
July 31, 2006
Dr. Leonard E. Eldridge DVM
State Veterinarian