PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-30 WAC, Restricted feedlots and restricted holding facilities.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 16.36 and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Washington state has seen an increase in tuberculosis cases from cattle importing into the state and entering our feedlot industry. The Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) is considering developing a rule proposal to remove exceptions for certain cattle movement from restricted feedlots. This will confine these untested animals to the feedlot to avoid potential infection of our state's breeding herds.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: WSDA staff will develop the rule proposal with the help of industry input. Interested parties will be given the opportunity to participate during the public hearing and public comment process.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Lynn Briscoe, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 902-1987, fax (360) 902-2087, e-mail lbriscoe@agr.wa.gov.
September 19, 2008
Lynn M. Briscoe
Special Assistant to
the State Veterinarian