WSR 07-21-149

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


[ Filed October 24, 2007, 10:12 a.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amend chapter 16-409 WAC, Washington standards for asparagus, by making changes to WAC 16-409-024 Size requirements for Washington asparagus grades, and making any other amendments that are necessary to update the chapter and increase its clarity.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.17 RCW, Standards of grades and packs and chapter 34.05 RCW, Administrative Procedure Act.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Growers, packers, and shippers would be allowed to market sizes in accordance with USDA sizes.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: In response to a request from the Washington asparagus commission, Washington state department of agriculture staff members will develop the rule proposal. In turn, industry representatives will review and comment on the proposed rule amendments. Interested parties can participate in the public hearing and comment process, the date of which will be announced when the agency 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 Jim Quigley, Program Manager, Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1833, fax (360) 902-2085, e-mail jquigley@agr.wa.gov.

October 22, 2007

Robert W. Gore

Deputy Director

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