PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 16-610 WAC, Livestock brand inspection.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapters 16.57, 16.58, 16.65, and 34.05 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: During the 2010 legislative session, the ability to provide self-inspection for transactions of twenty-five head or less of cattle was removed from statute effective June 10, 2010. In addition, a $25.00 fee was established for the issuance of replacement copies of brand inspection documents. The Washington state department of agriculture (WSDA) will be proposing rule making to align the rule with the adopted legislation and to define processes to administer these changes. Also, housekeeping amendments will be proposed to bring the rules up-to-date with current inspection 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: 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, Program Manager, Livestock Brand Inspection Program, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 902-1987, fax (360) 902-2087, e-mail lbriscoe@agr.wa.gov.
June 23, 2010
Leonard E. Eldridge, DVM
State Veterinarian