PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-326 WAC, the department is considering amending Brassica seed production rules to prohibit the planting and production of Brassica napus var. biennis, winter type canola or rapeseed in Brassica seed production district 2. Additionally, the department is considering eliminating the question format on some section headings.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 15.51 and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department has been petitioned by all of the seed companies involved in spring hybrid canola production to prohibit winter canola production in Brassica seed production district 2. This will serve to prevent hybrid spring canola and winter canola from being produced in close geographic proximity and eliminate the possibility of detrimental genetic crosses in spring hybrid canola seed crops.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Washington state department of agriculture staff will develop the specific rule proposal. The proposed language and rule amendments will be presented to a working group of impacted constituents including representatives of seed production companies, canola crushing and processing companies and the canola commission.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Victor Shaul, Seed Program, 21 North 1st Avenue, Suite 203, Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 249-6950, e-mail Vshaul@agr.wa.gov.
December 7, 2011
Brad J. Avy
Assistant Director