PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 16-301-525 What are the exemptions to the crucifer seed quarantine that apply within the regulated area? and 16-301-530 What requirements apply to planting crucifer seed in the regulated area?
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 15.49, 17.24, and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This proposal is in response to an industry petition requesting that the crucifer quarantine be modified to provide an exemption for seed already in inventory when the quarantine became effective, to increase the minimum quantity that is exempt from the quarantine, and in lieu of tagging each container, to allow alternative wording to be placed on an invoice to communicate that seed that is sold into the regulated area meets the quarantine requirements.
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 specific rule proposal. In turn, the members of the crucifer quarantine workgroup will review and comment on the proposed rule amendments. In addition, the canola commission will be kept informed and will be provided the opportunity to have input. Interested parties can 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 Fawad Shah, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Seed Program, 21 North 1st Avenue, Suite 203, Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 225-2636, e-mail Fshah@agr.wa.gov.
December 1, 2006
Dennis Hannapel
Assistant Director