Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-610 WAC, Livestock identification. The department of agriculture (department) is considering amending WAC 16-610-122 to change the reference to the type of document that must be obtained before livestock can be removed from a public livestock market.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: A majority of Washington state public livestock markets utilize a specific software system to manage all aspects of a market sale and the department is creating a livestock identification module within that existing software platform that would enable the public livestock market to print official department validated livestock inspection certificates to create efficiencies, reduce duplicate processes by both public livestock market staff and department staff, and collaborate in one data system. Traditionally, public livestock markets and livestock identification program staff have utilized separate data software systems, which result in duplicate efforts and has impacted livestock market processes as they are waiting for livestock inspectors to input the data from their livestock inspections. Equally, the livestock identification program staff are unable to complete their close-out duties until market staff provide check-in or sale information.

The new livestock identification module will reduce a cumbersome check-out process for customers and create a single check-out process, which will allow public livestock markets that utilize the software to issue official brand certificates.

Creating a single check-out process will reduce the number of hours department staff spend at the markets, reduce check-out time for customers, eliminate redundant data entry, increase information sharing, increase cooperation between market staff and department staff, and create a one-page official document that includes official department proof of ownership information as well market information.

Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will discuss any proposed amendments with affected stakeholders. Affected stakeholders will also have an opportunity to submit written comments on the proposed rules during the public comment period and will be able to present oral testimony at the public hearing.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Brennan Kimbel, P.O. Box 42577, Olympia, WA 98504-2577, phone 360-902-1808, fax 360-902-2087, email Brennan.kimbel@agr.wa.gov, website www.agr.wa.gov.