EXPEDITED ADOPTION
Title of Rule: Chapter 16-324 WAC, Rules for the certification of seed potatoes.
Purpose: To amend the existing rule to bring Washington state rules into concurrence with other states' rules for seed potato certification, to reflect current industry practices, to comply with legislative mandates such as regulatory reform and use of clear and readable format.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 15.14 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 15.14 RCW.
Summary: These proposed changes clarify existing requirements and update and streamline the program to acknowledge current industry and program practices without reductions in service delivery. They also make the Washington state program similar to those of other states by eliminating standards for powdery scab and acknowledging specific standards for other types of damage. In addition, the rule is consolidated and restated in clear and readable format.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Changes in industry and program practices and legislative mandates (for instance, the regulatory reform statutes and the movement to clear and readable format) have made modifications in the existing rule necessary.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Mary Toohey, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1907; Implementation and Enforcement: Tom Wessels, 1111 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1948.
Name of Proponent: Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington Seed Potato Commission, public and governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: About fifteen growers enroll in the Washington seed potato certification program, which is created by these rules. Enrollment and compliance with the requirements of this grower-supported program are intended to produce a known, high quality agricultural product apparently free of specified diseases and other pests, that normally commands a market premium. Washington certified seed potatoes compete on the domestic and international market, and our standards must be similar to those of other states' certification programs. The existing rule needs updating to make it more similar to other states' rules and to acknowledge technical progress, particularly in the area of micropropagation (i.e. tissue culture). Changes in industry and program practices and legislative mandates (for instance, the regulatory reform statutes) have made other modifications necessary.
WSDA has sought individual and collective input from all program participants and other stakeholders. We feel stakeholder consensus was reached. We anticipate that the positive effects of these rule changes far outweigh any adverse effects that might result from the changes.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The proposal
reduces the number and complexity of existing technical
requirements within the seed potato certification program. It
eliminates the standard for powdery scab and acknowledges a
specific standard for chemical damage. It converts the rule to
clear and readable format.
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED TO BE ADOPTED USING AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS RULE BEING ADOPTED USING THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Mary A. Martin Toohey, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560 , AND RECEIVED BY October 2, 2000.
August 2, 2000
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director
OTS-4206.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 97-11-028, filed 5/14/97,
effective 6/14/97)
WAC 16-324-361
Definitions.
((The definitions set forth in
this section shall apply throughout this chapter, unless the
context otherwise requires:))
(1) "Certification" means that the lot of seed potatoes was inspected and meets the requirements of this chapter.
(2) "Cull" means any lot of potatoes rejected for
certification for any reason. ((Seed lots failing to meet the
minimum requirements of Washington state's rules and standards
for certification shall be considered culls.))
(3) "Department" means the department of agriculture of the state of Washington.
(4) "Director" means the director of the department of agriculture or his/her duly appointed representative.
(5) "Disease tested" means tested for ((potato viruses, PVA,
PVM, PVS, PVX, PVY, leafroll,)) and found free of all of the
following diseases: Potato virus A (PVA), potato virus M (PVM),
potato virus S (PVS), potato virus X (PVX), potato virus Y (PVY),
potato leafroll virus (PLRV), potato spindle tuber viroid
(spindle tuber), Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora (soft rot),
Erwinia carotovora ssp. atroseptica (black leg) and Clavibacter
michiganense spp. sependonicum (ring rot).
(6) (("In vitro" means in an artificial environment outside
the living organism.
(7))) "Micropropagated" means potato stock propagated using aseptic laboratory techniques and culture media to promote plant tissue growth.
(((8))) (7) "Microtubers" means tubers produced in vitro by
a micropropagated plant or plantlet.
(((9))) (8) "Minitubers" means tubers produced under
controlled greenhouse conditions.
(((10))) (9) "Nematode" means ((a disease (infestation) of))
plant parasitic nematodes ((of)) capable of infesting potatoes,
including but not limited to the genus Meloidogyne.
(((11))) (10) "Nuclear stock" means plantlets, microtubers,
minitubers, or seed potatoes produced from prenuclear stock, and
grown in the field for the first time.
(((12))) (11) "Plot" means a seed potato planting that is
0.25 acre or less in size.
(((13))) (12) "Powdery scab" means the disease caused by the
fungus Spongospora subterranea.
(((14))) (13) "Prenuclear" means micropropagated plants ((in
vitro)) or tubers ((in vitro. Also included are)) and plants or
minitubers produced in a greenhouse.
(((15))) (14) "Recertification" means the process of
certifying a seed lot that was certified the previous year.
(((16) "Ring rot" means the disease caused by the bacterium
Clavibacter michiganense ssp. sepedonicum.
(17))) (15) "Rogue" means ((a method of removing undesired
plant specimens from a lot whereby all plant parts including
vines, tubers, and seed pieces are completely removed from a
field. Rogueing for plant disease shall also include removing
all plants and their parts immediately adjacent to the diseased
suspect plant)) removing diseased or undesirable plants,
including all associated plant parts from a seed potato field.
(((18))) (16) "Seed lot" means a field, in whole or in part,
or a group of fields producing seed potatoes, or the potato
tubers harvested from a seed potato field.
(((19))) (17) "Seed potatoes" means vegetatively propagated
tubers used for potato production ((that have been produced
outside of or within the state of Washington and are being
handled for seed purposes, propagation, or reproduction within
the state of Washington)).
(((20))) (18) "Seed source" means seed potatoes produced by
an individual grower within a particular seed production area.
(((21))) (19) "Trace" means a barely perceivable indication
of plant disease that amounts to less than 0.001 percent of
sample.
(((22))) (20) "Tolerance" means the maximum acceptable
percentage of potato plants or tubers ((exhibiting visual
symptoms of disease or defect during inspection of a
representative sample)) that is diseased, infected by plant
pests, defective or off-type based on visual inspection or
laboratory testing by the director or other authorized person.
(((23))) (21) "Unit method" means a method of planting in
which cut seed pieces from one tuber are dropped consecutively in
a row, or in which all tubers from one plant are dropped
consecutively in a row.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-361, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1) Participation in this
program ((shall be)) is voluntary, except as provided in chapter 15.15 RCW, and may be withdrawn at the option of the applicant. ((Farming and sanitation practices are the responsibility of the
grower. Certification, approvals, determinations, and
supervision mentioned herein shall be conducted by the
department.
(2) Failure to comply with the requirements of these rules shall be cause for refusal or cancellation of approval of any planting or the certification of any seed as certified seed potatoes.
(3) The state of Washington department of agriculture makes no warranty, expressed or implied, or representation as to the freedom from disease or quality of certified seed. Certification is based solely on visual inspections of sample plants and tubers of each lot which were found to meet tolerances prescribed in this chapter.))
(2) The department will refuse or cancel certification of any seed potato planting or seed potato lot that fails to comply with this chapter.
(3) Issuance of a certified state of Washington tag, stamp or other document under this chapter means only that the tagged, stamped or otherwise documented seed potatoes have been subjected to procedures and requirements described in this chapter and determined to be in compliance with its standards and requirements. The department disclaims all express or implied warranties, including without limitation implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose, regarding all plants, plant parts, and plant materials under this chapter. Certification is based solely on compliance with this chapter.
(4) The department is not responsible for disease, genetic disorders, off-type, failure of performance, mislabeling or otherwise, in connection with this chapter. No grower, dealer, government official, or other person is authorized to give any expressed or implied warranty, or to accept financial responsibility on behalf of the department regarding this chapter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-370, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.14 RCW. 78-12-034 (Order 1587), § 16-324-370, filed 11/21/78; Order 1199, § 16-324-370, filed 5/5/71, effective 6/7/71.]
(1)
((Application shall be made on a)) To apply for certification,
applicants must use the form provided by the department and
furnish all information requested, including the date, name,
signature and address of the applicant, lot number, seed source
identification number, variety, class planted, acres, date
planted, seed spacing at planting, average length of rows, year
the field was last cropped to potatoes, along with their variety
and lot number, and a map of the field location. Applications
for certification ((shall)) must reach the ((state)) department
((of agriculture,)) on or before June 15 of each year,
accompanied by the appropriate fee, field location maps and
evidence of eligibility such as tags or certificates. Unless
prior approval has been granted, late applications((, without
prior approval,)) will be assessed a late ((application)) fee of
twenty dollars per application. ((Applications shall be
accompanied by the appropriate fee, as well as tags, certificates
or other evidence of eligibility.))
(2) ((Prospective growers entering the certification program
for the first time shall be interviewed by the department before
their applications are processed. This is in order that the
applicant knows what is expected and what may be expected from
the certifying agency.
(3))) Separate applications ((shall be)) are required for
each variety, seed source, and seed lot.
(((4))) (3) Separate applications ((shall be)) are required
for each ((seed source)) field location that is separated by more
than one hundred feet.
(((5) Applications shall be accompanied by a field location
map so that any inspector can identify each lot and the lot
location.
(6) Withdrawal of a seed lot from the certification program shall be made on a form provided by the department.)) (4) Growers may withdraw a seed potato lot from certification for any reason by notifying the department in writing.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-375, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.14 RCW. 91-10-029 (Order 2083), § 16-324-375, filed 4/24/91, effective 5/25/91; 86-15-045 (Order 1897), § 16-324-375, filed 7/17/86; 78-12-034 (Order 1587), § 16-324-375, filed 11/21/78.]
(1) The
seed potato certification fee((s shall be)) is twenty-nine
dollars per acre or fraction ((thereof)) of an acre.
(2) The certification fee for a field plot ((shall be)) is
twenty dollars per application.
(3) The department may assess ((an)) additional fees
((charged on a)) for time and mileage ((basis)) pursuant to
chapter 16-470 WAC.
(4) ((Applications shall be accompanied by)) Growers must
submit a minimum of fifty percent of the total certification
((fee and payable on or before June 15 of each year. For
purposes of certification fee assessment, acreage may be adjusted
by no more than ten percent on or before July 15 of each year))
fees with the applications.
(5) Final payment of ((the)) certification fees is due and
payable November 1 of each year((: Provided, That fees for five
acres or less must be paid in full at the time of application)).
(6) ((Refunds of the certification fee may be made only if
the withdrawal form)) For the purpose of fee assessment, acreage
may be adjusted by no more than ten percent prior to the first
field inspection. The department will refund certification fees,
if a written withdrawal notice is received by the department
prior to the first field inspection.
(7) Growers are not required to pay the final half of the
certification fee on lots rejected or withdrawn before the second
inspection ((shall not be subject to the final one-half payment
of the certification fee)).
(8) ((Certification fees shall not be refunded after two
field inspections have been completed.
(9) Failure to pay fees when due shall result in removing the applicant from this program.
(10) No application from any grower owing the Washington state department of agriculture for previous fees may be considered.)) The department will deny certification to any applicant who fails to pay fees when due.
(9) The department will not accept applications from any grower owing the department for previous fees.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-381, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1) All seed
potatoes entered for certification ((shall be)) are classified on
the basis of production phases as follows:
(a) Prenuclear (PN) - ((Prefield seed stocks for laboratory
and greenhouse production or direct field plantings.))
Micropropagated potatoes or seed potatoes grown in a greenhouse
or screenhouse under sanitary conditions free of insects, weeds
that can harbor potato diseases or other sources of disease
contamination.
(b) Nuclear (N) - First field production year.
(c) Generation 1 (G1) - Second field production year.
(d) Generation 2 (G2) - Third field production year.
(e) Generation 3 (G3) - Fourth field production year.
(f) Generation 4 (G4) - Fifth field production year.
(g) Generation 5 (G5) - Sixth field production year.
(2) ((The class of any seed lot shall be determined by its
production phase as defined in subsection (1) of this section.)) If a seed lot fails to meet the standards established in this
chapter for its ((production phase)) class, then it ((shall))
will be reclassified to the ((next later)) earliest generation
for which it meets established standards. ((If a seed lot fails
to meet minimum standards established for G5, it shall be
rejected from certification.))
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-382, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1) A grower is not eligible to produce nuclear, generation 1, or generation 2 seed potatoes, if ring rot has been detected on his or her farm during the previous two years.
(2) Prenuclear class.
(a) Prenuclear seed lots must be derived from disease tested micropropagated plants. All testing methods and laboratories must be approved by the department.
(b) A minimum of one percent (and not less than twenty samples) of prenuclear seed produced in a greenhouse must be tested and found free of potato virus X (PVX), potato virus Y (PVY), potato virus S (PVS), potato leafroll virus (PLRV), Erwinia carotovora ssp. caratovora (soft rot), Erwinia carotovora ssp. atroseptica (black leg), and Clavibacter michiganense ssp. sependonicum (ring rot).
(c) The department will inspect all facilities used in the production of prenuclear class seed potatoes on a periodic basis. Department approval is necessary in order to utilize these facilities.
(3) Nuclear class.
(a) Nuclear class seed potatoes must be propagated entirely from prenuclear plants.
(b) Each nuclear class seed lot must be distinctly separated in storage and in the field.
(c) If a ground rig is used for spraying, wide enough spacing between rows must be left, so that tires will not touch plants during the growing season.
(d) Growers must plant cut seed and single drop seed separately, with single drop seed identified.
(4) Generations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
(a) Growers must leave a distinct separation of at least six feet unplanted or planted to some other crop between lots of seed potatoes from different classes. A similar separation must be left between different varieties, unless the varieties are readily distinguishable by visual observation.
(b) When more than one lot of seed potatoes is planted in the same field, growers must stake or mark the identity of each lot.
[]
(1) ((Planting
stocks shall be derived from seed stocks)) Only seed potatoes
derived from plants that have been disease tested((,)) and
certified by an official ((seed certifying)) certification agency
((and continued identity maintained in an approved manner)) are
eligible for certification.
(2) ((To be eligible for recertification, a seed stock
shall)) Only seed lots that meet or exceed the minimum
requirements ((for field inspection, latent virus testing, and
post harvest testing)) as established in this chapter are
eligible for certification. A seed ((stock)) lot that has more
than a trace amount of virus disease noted during any field
inspection ((shall not be recertified)) is not eligible for
recertification, unless it has been post harvest tested and meets
the minimum standards established in WAC 16-324-420.
(3) ((Planting stocks from other states or countries shall
be eligible for current season certification if the planting
stock meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of Washington
standards for certification of seed potatoes and is)) In order to
be eligible for certification in Washington state, seed lots from
other states or countries must be eligible for recertification in
the state or country of origin.
(4) A seed lot ((shall not be eligible for current season
certification if it is)) blended from two or more different
sources of seed is not eligible for recertification.
(5) ((Tubers culled out during the grading process shall not
be)) A seed lot infected with powdery scab is not eligible for
recertification.
(6) ((Seed stocks shall be eligible for current season
certification for a maximum of six field production years.
(7))) Generation 5 (G5)((, shall not be)) seed lots are not
eligible for recertification.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-391, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1) ((Prenuclear
stock shall be produced in a laboratory or greenhouse approved by
the department.
(2))) The department must approve all nuclear and generation
1 ((shall be produced only in)) field locations ((approved by the
department)).
(((3))) (2) Generation 2 through generation 5 ((shall)) must
be isolated by at least three hundred fifty feet from ((other))
all noncertified potatoes ((except seed potatoes entered for
certification)).
(((4))) (3) When ring rot is found in a field planted with
more than one lot of seed potatoes, the department will reject
entire field ((shall be rejected)) unless at least six feet
between lots has been left unplanted or planted to some other
crop.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-392, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1) ((Any land known to
be)) The department will not accept any field infested with
((parasitic potato)) nematodes ((shall not be accepted)).
(2) ((Any land planted with seed potatoes found to have ring
rot shall not be eligible for certified seed potato production
for at least)) Detection of ring rot in a field will make that
field ineligible for production of certified seed potatoes for
three years. Presence of volunteer potato plants in a field with
ring rot history ((shall)) will disqualify the current field crop
for certification. Plants outside of the defined row ((shall
be)) are considered volunteers. ((Exceptions to this may be
approved by the department when cultural practice has been proven
to be successful. Cultural practices may include, but are not
limited to, mechanical means (such as deep plowing) and/or
chemical means (such as fumigants or other material) for seed bed
preparation. Materials and methods shall be recorded with the
department. Whichever method is used, it shall be approved by
the department and shall be adequate to maintain variety and
disease purity.))
(3) Nuclear class ((shall)) seed potatoes must be produced
((on land)) in a field that has not been planted with potatoes
for ((any of the previous)) at least six years. (New ground is
preferred.)
(4) Generation 1 class ((shall)) seed potatoes must be
produced ((on land)) in a field that has not been planted with
potatoes for ((any of the previous)) at least four years.
(5) Generation 2, 3, 4, and 5 ((classes shall)) class seed
potatoes must be produced ((on land)) in a field that has not
been planted with potatoes during the previous year unless the
prior potato crop was certified seed potatoes of ((a higher)) an
earlier class ((and)) of the same variety. Volunteer plants from
a previously planted seed potato crop ((that are present at the
time of the field inspection shall)) will cause the
((designated)) class designation of the current crop to be
changed to ((an)) the appropriate ((later)) generation
((designation)) of the volunteer plants.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-393, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1) Chemicals used
in the sanitation of equipment ((shall)) should be those
recommended by the Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Control
Handbook. Vector control ((shall)) must be maintained throughout
the growing season as recommended by the Pacific Northwest Plant
Disease Control Handbook.
(2) Seed stocks entered for certification ((shall)) must be
planted and harvested prior to handling any other seed stock. The earliest generation ((shall)) must be handled prior to lower
classes within the program. ((All equipment used in the cutting,
planting, digging, storage, and sorting process shall be
sanitized between lots and varieties. When cutting nuclear
stock, gloves and knives shall be sanitized between each tuber
cut.
(3) Precautions shall be taken when roguing, irrigating, or cultivating to prevent the spread of potato pathogens. Only sanitized footwear shall be allowed in the field.
(4))) (3) Only department-approved containers shall be used during the digging, storage, and packing process.
(((5) Appropriate procedures for sanitizing shall include
steam cleaning or use of a pressure washer to eliminate all dirt
and dry matter, followed by application of an approved chemical
to kill bacteria.))
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-396, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1)
Compliance with a 0.0% tolerance is not intended, nor ((shall))
should it be construed, to mean that the lot inspected is free
from the disease. ((In case of ring rot, nematode, or powdery
scab,)) It means that the disease was not ((identified)) detected
during ((any)) visual inspections of the seed lot.
(2) First and second field inspection tolerances, expressed as percentages.
| Nuclear | G 1 | G 2 | G 3 | G 4 | G 5 | |||||||
| Factor | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 2nd |
| Varietal mixture | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0.20 | 0.10 |
| Mosaic | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.01 | TR(*) | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.50 | 0.25 | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Leafroll | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.01 | TR(*) | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0.40 | 0.20 |
| Total visible virus | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.10 | 0.00 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Phytoplasmas | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Black leg | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 4.00 | 2.00 |
| Ring rot | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Nematode | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Spindle tuber viroid | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| (( |
||||||||||||
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-398, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1) The department will visually inspect each seed lot at least two times during the growing season. The department may make additional inspections if the department deems it necessary.
(2) The department will reject all seed lots that do not comply with minimum field inspection standards at the time of inspection.
(3) Growers must notify the department of unusual field conditions, which may cause premature dying from any cause prior to the final reading of the field.
(4) Post harvest testing is required for any seed lot with a field condition preventing adequate field evaluation at the time of the first field inspection.
(5) If the department is unable to perform the final field inspection of a seed potato lot for any reason at least one of the following actions will be taken:
(a) The seed lot will be denied certification;
(b) The seed lot will be denied recertification; and/or
(c) The lot must be post harvest tested and found free of ring rot.
(6) The department will reject any seed lot in which ring rot is detected and will conduct additional inspections on all of the grower's remaining seed lots. The department will not recertify any seed lot associated with or planted after the rejected lot. The department will submit samples of ring rot detected during field inspections to an approved laboratory for confirmation.
(7) The department may require a post harvest test and withhold certification pending results of the post harvest test on seed potato lots exposed to any chemical that causes tuber-borne injury. Any seed potato lot showing five percent or greater tuber-borne chemical damage in the post harvest test will be rejected for certification.
[]
(1) PVX
testing ((shall be)) is required for nuclear((,)) generation 1
and generation 2 class seed potatoes. PVX testing ((shall be))
is optional for all other classes.
(2) Growers must submit petiole samples ((shall be submitted
by the grower in late August, or prior to vine kill,)) for latent
virus testing to a laboratory approved by the department. The
((cost of)) applicant is responsible for laboratory testing
((shall be borne by the applicant)) fees.
(3) The minimum number of plants per seed lot to be sampled
for ((latent virus determination shall be)) PVX testing is one
hundred. For nuclear class, a minimum of ten percent of the
total number of plants per lot ((shall)) must be sampled. For
generation 1, a minimum of two percent of the total number of
plants per lot ((shall)) must be sampled. For generation 2, a
minimum of fifty leaves per acre ((shall)) must be sampled. ((For)) Generation 3, 4 and 5((, a minimum)) seed lots should be
sampled at a rate of twenty leaves per acre ((shall be sampled. No more than five leaves shall be bulked per sample)). The
department may require additional testing.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-401, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1) ((Latent virus
disease)) PVX tolerances are listed in the table that follows and
((shall)) must be based on positive ELISA test results.
| PVX TOLERANCE TABLE: PERCENT DISEASE |
|||||
| NUCLEAR | G1 | G2 | G3 | G4 | G5 |
| 0.00 | 0.50 | 1.00 | 3.00 | 4.00 | 5.00 |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-402, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1) Post
harvest testing of all seed classes ((shall be)) is optional,
except as required in WAC 16-324-399. Seed lots which fail the
minimum requirements of the field inspection standards ((shall))
are not ((be)) eligible for post harvest testing.
(2) ((The purpose of this test is to visually detect virus
and virus-like plant symptoms in seed potato samples submitted by
the grower. Diseases which cannot be observed visually at the
time of inspection may be present.
(3))) A minimum of four hundred tubers ((shall)) must be
submitted for each seed lot entered for post harvest testing. Seed lots less than one acre in size ((shall)) must submit a
minimum of four tubers per total hundred weight with a minimum of
fifty tubers. ((The applicant shall have the option of
submitting additional tubers greater than the minimum number.
(4))) (3) The applicant is responsible for the cost of post
harvest testing ((shall be borne by the applicant)).
(((5) Seed stocks represented)) (4) Seed lots in the post
harvest test which fail to ((meet)) comply with the disease
tolerance requirements set forth in ((this chapter shall not be))
WAC 16-324-420 are not eligible for recertification.
(a) The applicant ((shall)) must notify in writing all
receivers of ((a seed stock or)) any seed lot that failed to
((meet)) comply with post harvest ((test requirements))
tolerances set forth in WAC 16-324-420.
(b) Acceptance of ((this)) a seed lot ((shall)) that fails
to comply with the tolerances set forth in WAC 16-324-420 must be
based on a written buyer/seller agreement. The grower must
provide the department with a copy of the written ((notice and
buyer/seller)) agreement ((shall be provided to the department as
soon as practicable.
(6) Upon request of the applicant, the department shall submit samples of seed potatoes to an approved laboratory for ELISA testing to confirm a finding of visual virus disease symptoms. The applicant shall bear the cost of ELISA testing.
(7) In the event of a serious malfunction of the post harvest test facility, certification eligibility shall be based on field inspection readings)) within thirty days of receiving the post harvest results.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-409, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1) Each
seed lot ((shall)) must be stored ((so as to maintain)) with its
identity maintained. ((The storage bin or room (an area with a
controlled access and enclosed by solid barriers) shall be so
marked that any inspector not previously having been in the room
or storage bin could identify each lot.)) All tubers from a unit
planting method ((shall)) must be numbered and stored as an
identifiable unit for the next year's planting.
(2) Each storage or room containing more than one seed lot
((shall)) must have a solid barrier between each lot ((that is
not of the same seed source, variety or classification)).
(a) The ((presence of)) department will reject any seed lot
in which ring rot or nematode ((in a seed lot that is stored with
other seed lots shall be cause for rejection of all seed lots
that are not isolated or separated)) by a solid barrier.
(b) ((Seed lots previously known or found to be infected
with ring rot at time of storage or)) Noncertified potatoes
((shall)) must not be stored ((within)) in the same ((storage
with)) facility as certified seed potatoes.
(3) The applicant ((shall)) must notify in writing receivers
of ((a seed stock or receivers of a lot associated with a seed
stock that has been)) any seed lot found to be infected with ring
rot. The applicant ((shall)) must provide the department with a
copy of this notification when it is sent to the receiver.
(4) All seed classes ((shall)) must be graded according to
((state of Washington standards for seed potatoes and)) the
United States Standards for Grades of Seed Potatoes.
(5) Each container or sack ((shall)) must be identified with
((the)) an official Washington seed potato tag((s which shall
show)) listing the grower's name, address, seed lot number, net
weight, variety and classification unless such information is
printed on the sacks or containers.
(6) The department ((shall)) issues tags to the grower. The
grower ((shall)) is required to comply with all of the following:
(a) Tag the sack or container as the potatoes are sorted;
(b) Allow inspection of graded seed potatoes at any time;
(c) ((If seed potatoes are out-of-grade,)) Remove the tags
from out-of-grade potatoes under the supervision of the
((inspector)) department; and
(d) Return all unused tags to the ((inspector)) department.
(7) ((Failure to comply with any of the requirements of this
chapter shall be cause for the inspector to withhold the
privilege of permitting the grower to tag at the grower's
convenience.
(8) Failure to comply with subsection (6)(b) and (c) of this section shall be cause to reject a grower from the certification program.
(9) In order to maintain its certification status, a)) The department may issue a compliance agreement authorizing the grower to tag seed potatoes.
(8) Bulk shipments must be identified with the information required in subsection (5) of this section.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-431, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1) ((The quality of
the)) Grading of seed potatoes is the ((full)) responsibility of
the grower. The department ((shall)) monitors grading activities
for compliance with the United States Standards for Seed Potatoes
and established state standards for seed potatoes.
(2) Upon request, the department provides shipping point
inspections for seed potatoes ((shall be performed by the
department at the established rate for time and mileage. A
federal-state inspection certificate shall be issued)). Fees
established in chapter 16-470 WAC apply to all shipping point
inspections.
(3) Three colors of tags ((shall be permitted)) are
authorized for use on certified seed potatoes.
(a) Blue tags ((shall be)) are used for seed potatoes which
meet or exceed minimum requirements of United States Standards
for US Number 1 grade of seed potatoes.
(b) Yellow tags ((shall)) indicate a contract grade between
buyer and seller.
(c) White tags ((shall be)) are used for seed potatoes which
meet or exceed minimum requirements of US Number 1 standards for
grade of seed potatoes((: Provided)) except, that the size
((shall)) may not be less than one ounce or more than three
ounces in weight.
(((4) Compliance with the provisions of these standards
shall not relieve the applicant or grower from responsibility for
conforming with compliance agreements and applicable provisions
of federal and state laws.))
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-446, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]
(1) ((The following fees shall apply to)) ELISA
testing to determine the presence of ((Potato Virus A (PVA),
Potato Virus M (PVM), Potato Virus S (PVS), Potato Virus X (PVX),
Potato Virus Y (PVY), and Potato Leaf Roll Virus (PLRV))) potato
viruses:
| # Viruses | # Samples | Price/leaf sample | Price/tuber sample |
| 1 | 1 to 10 | $1.00 | $1.10 |
| 11 to 25 | $0.90 | $1.00 | |
| over 25 | $0.80 | $0.90 | |
| 2 | 1 to 10 | $1.50 | $1.60 |
| 11 to 25 | $1.30 | $1.40 | |
| over 25 | $1.10 | $1.20 | |
| 3 | 1 to 10 | $2.00 | $2.10 |
| 11 to 25 | $1.70 | $1.80 | |
| over 25 | $1.40 | $1.50 | |
| 4 | 1 to 10 | $2.50 | $2.60 |
| 11 to 25 | $2.10 | $2.20 | |
| over 25 | $1.70 | $1.80 | |
| 5 | 1 to 10 | $3.00 | $3.10 |
| 11 to 25 | $2.50 | $2.60 | |
| over 25 | $2.00 | $2.10 | |
| 6 | 1 to 10 | $3.50 | $3.60 |
| 11 to 25 | $2.90 | $3.00 | |
| over 25 | $2.30 | $2.40 | |
(((3) Other virus tests not listed in subsection (1) of this
section may be provided at actual cost of time at twenty-five
dollars per hour plus materials.))
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 34.05 and 15.14 RCW. 92-22-017 (Order 4014), § 16-324-720, filed 10/22/92, effective 11/22/92.]
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
| WAC 16-324-394 | Production requirements -- Prenuclear class. |
| WAC 16-324-395 | Production requirements -- Field grown seed potatoes. |
| WAC 16-324-397 | Field inspection. |
| WAC 16-324-700 | Establishing the fee schedule. |
| WAC 16-324-710 | Schedule of fees -- Billing policies and procedures. |