WSR 99-03-108
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Filed January 20, 1999, 11:34 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Require that all Red Delicious and Delicious varieties of apples be certified for quality and condition on a twelve-month basis. Require soluble solids testing for Red Delicious and Delicious varieties of apples be continued until October first of each year and the general release date as established by the Delicious Maturity Committee of the Washington State Horticultural Association will be eliminated. Apples of the Red Delicious and Delicious variety not entering channels of commerce within twenty-one days following the original inspection, as indicated by a state lot number, will require recertification for meeting the minimum firmness requirements prior to entering the channels of commerce.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.17 RCW, Standards of grades and packs.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Amendments to the existing rules, chapter 16-403 WAC, Standards for apples marketed within Washington and chapter 16-461 WAC, Inspection requirements for fruits and vegetables, will assist in eliminating the lower levels of the Red Delicious and Delicious varieties of apples from entering the market place and will provide the consumer with a higher level of quality and condition (maturity) of Red Delicious and Delicious varieties of apples. Red Delicious and Delicious varieties of apples will meet all the requirements of chapter 16-403 WAC, Standards of apples marketed within Washington.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: This is at the request of the Washington State Horticultural Association. The department will be working with the association and other stakeholders and interested parties in the development of this rule.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Any comments relating to the development of this rule must be received no later than March 5, 1999. Please direct all comments to Jim Quigley, Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1833, fax (360) 902-2085.
January 20, 1999
William E. Brookreson
Assistant Director
Agency Operations