PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: To amend chapter 16-325 WAC, Seed potato isolation district.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.15 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The seed potato isolation district in Whatcom County is established to protect certified seed potato plantings from virus diseases spread from commercial potato plantings. Because of the increased competition for suitable seed potato ground within the current isolation district, it may be necessary to expand the district boundaries to give growers access to additional ground on which to grow certified seed potatoes. Seed potato growers within an isolation district also pay lower crop insurance premiums than growers outside of an isolation district. Other changes may be proposed to bring the rule into compliance with clear and readable format and/or current industry practices.
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 representatives discuss proposed rule change with affected stakeholders, including the Washington Seed Potato Commission, and then publish the rule proposal.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Mary A. Martin Toohey, Assistant Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094, Mtoohey@agr.wa.gov; or Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094, Twessels@agr.wa.gov.
October 3, 2001
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director