| Updated: 11/13/2008 |
Frequently Asked Questions This is a sample of the questions we receive most often. Please select a topic from the list below and click on it. If your question is not directly addressed, you still may find a direct link to the Division or Program that handles your subject.
Agricultural statistics• What are Washington’s top crops and commodities?The top five commodities are apples, milk, wheat, potatoes and cattle. Information on Washington's agricultural production, including the state's top 40 agricultural commodities and the latest crop, livestock and economic estimates, is by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Washington Field Office. Agricultural resources and linksTo locate some of the major agriculture-related government and private-industry agricultural organizations, go here: http://agr.wa.gov/Links/default.htm Animals (moving pets, horses, birds; branding livestock)• I’m moving from overseas to the U.S. and want to bring my pet dog/cat. What are the documents and vaccinations I need?The state of Washington requires a health certificate issued within 30 days of shipment and a current rabies vaccination. The Washington State Department of Agriculture accepts a one-year or three-year vaccine. Family pet dogs and cats traveling by private vehicle with their owners are exempt from the health certificate requirement. Owners must possess a current valid rabies certificate for these animals. This exemption does not apply to dogs or cats imported for sale or to puppies or kittens too young to vaccinate. You may call (360) 902-1878 with questions. Web sites regarding importing or exporting animals include the USDA state regulations Website and the USDA import/export Website. • What is required to bring my horse to Washington?Domestic equine includes horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies and must have an official health certificate or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection within 30 days of shipment. A negative Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) test (Coggins test) is required within six months prior to entry. Equines originating from Oregon are exempt from the EIA test. Also exempt are equines under six months of age, equines consigned for immediate slaughter, and equines consigned to a veterinary clinic that will return to the state of origin following treatment or surgery. A permit number is required if using the Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and Interstate Movement Permit or a horse passport certificate. Brand laws must be complied within the state of origin. Exempt from the health certificate or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection requirement are horses traveling into Washington with their Oregon or Idaho owners using personal vehicles for round trip visits of not more than 96 hours. • What about “exotic” animals. Are they allowed?You should check with your county government to see if exotic animals such as bobcats and lynxes are allowed. Some counties do not allow residents to have “big cats” or other exotics. And, state Department of Health regulations do not permit personal ownership of animals such as skunks, coyotes, foxes, and raccoons due to concerns over rabies. The State Department of Fish and Wildlife has jurisdiction over animals such as bear, deer and elk. Wild and exotic animals that are allowed, must have an official health Certificate or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection within 30 days of shipment. It must be prepared for the animal prior to entry into Washington state and be issued by a licensed, accredited veterinarian. The certificate must list:
Please call (360) 902-1878 for testing requirements that need to be completed before entering the state. Call this number also to find out what animals are prohibited for ownership in the state. • What is required to bring my birds into Washington?“Pet Birds” or “Birds” means species of aves (psittacines) other than poultry, which are generally kept for pleasure. “Poultry” includes chickens, ducks, turkey, pigeons, guinea fowl, geese, pea fowl, and pheasants. All psittacine birds must have a health certificate within 30 days of shipment and you must verify that to your knowledge, the birds listed are not infected with Exotic Newcastle Disease or Psittacosis and have not been exposed to birds known to be infected with Exotic Newcastle Disease or Psittacosis within the past thirty days.” The following birds have been associated with introductions of Exotic Newcastle Disease and must be identified with a numbered leg band or other approved method of identification while in transit or while offered for sale. Bands may be removed by the end purchaser or for medical reasons. A replacement band has to be applied before the bird can be sold:
• How do I record a livestock brand?Go to the Washington State Department of Agriculture Web site for recording or renewing a livestock brand. The fee is $120.00 which registers the brand until December 31, 2007. Then, all brand owners will be sent a renewal notice to cover an additional four years. Our Web site has more information on our Livestock Identification Program. • Who do I contact about Animal Identification Systems in Washington State?Contact staff at wsais@agr.wa.gov or (360) 725-5493 to discuss registering an animal premises. You can also visit our Website Animal Identification Program. Bottled water regulation• Who regulates bottled water in Washington?Bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Bottlers are subject to Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 129 -- Processing and Bottling of Bottled Drinking Water; CFR 165.110 -- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) part 110; plus Washington state laws on food processing in general. Bottlers conduct bacteriological, chemical, physical and radiological testing and the water must come from an approved source. For more information email foodsafety@agr.wa.gov Commodity Commissions (apples, asparagus, beef, etc.)The Washington State Department of Agriculture coordinates certain activities for the state’s 24 commodity commissions. The commissions voluntarily organize to promote crops and agricultural commodities. For a list of commissions and contact information click here. Contact information for WSDAThe Washington State Department of Agriculture is headquartered in Olympia with program offices in Yakima and a number of other communities across the state. Check our "Who to Contact" sheet [in PDF format] for brief descriptions of WSDA programs and who to contact for information about each. Employment opportunities• Where can I get employment information at the Washington State Department of Agriculture?Visit our employment page at http://agr.wa.gov/Employment/default.htm
Fairs• Where can I find information about state fairs in Washington?Visit the Washington State Department of Agriculture Web site at http://agr.wa.gov/Marketing/AgFairs/default.htm For more information about state fairs go to the Washington State Fairs Association at http://www.wastatefairs.com Fertilizers (metals, regulatory functions)• The label on my fertilizer directs me to your Web site on metals in fertilizer. Where can I get more information?The product database at http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/Fertilizers/ProductDatabase.htm has this information. The fertilizer products in the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) database are registered for distribution in Washington. Two major pieces of information in the database are the nutrient guarantees and the levels of nine metals found in the product. The "Total Metals in Product" is the concentration of each listed metal found using the analysis required by WSDA. If you find the product in this database it means it is registered, has passed the heavy metals standards for Washington state, and has correct information on the label. You can also check the Web site of the manufacturer for information on the product, including information from their Material Data Safety Sheets. For more information on this topic see http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/Fertilizers/Metals.htm • How do you regulate commercial fertilizers?The Washington State Department of Agriculture regulates fertilizers under our Pesticide Management Division. Information on commercial fertilizers and our compliance efforts is available at http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/Fertilizers/default.htm Firewood complaints• What do I do if I have a complaint regarding firewood?The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Weights & Measures Program investigates complaints about firewood. WSDA gets about 30 firewood complaints in an average year, mainly surrounding getting less wood than expected. Washington law requires wood sellers to provide a receipt that shows the name and address of both the buyer and seller and the date delivered. The invoice should state the price, the quantity delivered, the quantity upon which the price is based, and the type and quality of the wood. The legal measure for firewood in Washington is the cord or fraction of a cord. A cord is 128 cubic feet. If there is a problem, contact the seller before burning any wood. For assistance call WSDA at (360) 902-1857 or email wtsmeasures@agr.wa.gov Food and agricultural marketing• Where can I find a list of suppliers of Washington foods and agricultural commodities?The Washington State Department of Agriculture maintains a Web site with a database list of suppliers and commodities at http://impact.wsu.edu/WAsuppliers/ • Where can I get marketing assistance for agriculture and food products?The Food and Agriculture Marketing Program at the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) helps Washington companies expand domestic and international sales of food and agricultural commodities. Visit the program’s Web site at http://agr.wa.gov/Marketing/default.htm for information. You can also send email to Within the program, staff in the Small Farm & Direct Marketing Program are also available to provide marketing advice. A great source of information on selling food products in Washington is available in The Green Book published by WSDA. Food processing licenses• How do I apply for a food processing license? Where do I go to get the application?You may download a WSDA application and review our handbook from our Web site at http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/FoodProcessors/default.htm You may contact our Food Safety Program staff for one-on-one technical advice even before you fill out your paperwork. For more information email foodsafety@agr.wa.gov or call (360) 902-1876. Food products – raw milk• I am buying raw milk through a “Cow Share” or “Farm Share” program. Should I be concerned if the farmer is not licensed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)?Yes. The farmer needs to obtain a milk producer and milk processing license to sell raw milk or pasteurized milk through a cow share or farm share agreement. Raw milk is a potentially hazardous food product because of its ability to support illness-causing pathogen growth. Licensing services include technical assistance and inspections of the farm and milk bottling room to assure safe production and handling of the milk you will be consuming. Contact WSDA’s Food Safety Program at foodsafety@agr.wa.gov Food safety concerns• Whom should I contact regarding food safety concerns?The Washington State Department of Agriculture maintains a toll-free number for food safety concerns. To comment about food or beverages that you purchased at a grocery store, restaurant or about a food processor or food warehouse facility, call 1-800-843-7890. Information on food complaints is available at http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/food-complaints.htm Gasoline pump problems• I think I’ve been shorted at the gas station. What can I do about it?The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Weights & Measures Program verifies the accuracy of the quantity of fuel delivered at gas stations and the quality (octane) of fuel delivered. If there’s a problem, you should tell us where and when you bought the fuel, the grade or type of fuel, the pump number, and any other information you might have. For assistance, call WSDA at (360) 902-1857 or send an e-mail to wtsmeasures@agr.wa.gov If the gas station is within the Seattle city limits call (206) 386-1298 or email seattle.consumer-affairs@seattle.gov If the station is within the Spokane city limits, call (509) 625-6611. Organic products (licensing, standards, processors, growers)• Where can I find out about organic products in Washington?Go to the Web site for our Organic Food Program. You’ll find lists of organic producers (growers), handlers and processors and learn more about this program. Plants• I’m moving to Washington state and am wondering if I can bring my house plants with me?Usually there are no restrictions on houseplants that have been kept indoors or inside a greenhouse and potted with an artificial mix, not garden soil. There may be additional requirements depending on where you are coming from. More information is available on our Nursery Inspection frequently asked questions webpage or call WSDA agency headquarters in Olympia at (360) 902-1874. • Who can I contact for a permit to conduct a plant sale?The WSDA Nursery Inspection Program requires a permit for plant sales, available for a modest fee. You can contact the program at WSDA, PO Box 42560, Olympia WA 98504-2560 or (360) 902-1874. • Where can I report concerns over dying trees or plants?A potential source includes the WSU Extension office in your county. A list is available in your phone directory under county government. A source for WSU Extension offices can be found at http://ext.wsu.edu/locations/ • Where can I report a noxious weed?The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board serves as the state’s noxious weed coordination center. Through its actions and policy decisions, it supports the activities of 48 county noxious weed control boards and weed districts. Information on the state noxious weed list is available at http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weed_list/weed_list.htm Pesticides• How can I become licensed to be a structural pest inspector, pesticide applicator, pest control consultant or pesticide dealer?The Washington State Department of Agriculture licenses and recertifies commercial, public and private pesticide applicators, pesticide consultants, pesticide dealers and structural pest inspectors. For answers to your pesticide licensing questions contact our licensing staff at license@agr.wa.gov or go to http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/LicensingEd/Licensing.htm Lately, we’ve received a lot of public interest in home inspections involving pests that cause damage to structures. To learn more about the service of inspecting a building for wood destroying organisms see http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/LicensingEd/CASpiInfo.htm Currently licensed structural pest inspectors are listed at http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/LicensingEd/ListStructuralPestInspectors.asp Individuals who are certified in Washington as structural pest inspectors must pass a Washington State Department of Agriculture exam and meet other eligibility requirements (financial coverage and be employed by a structural pest inspection company). • How can I file a complaint involving the misuse of a pesticide or a faulty structural pest inspection?To file a complaint involving the misuse of a pesticide or a faulty structural pest inspection, call toll-free to (877) 301-4555. You may also use that number to find out if a pesticide applicator or structural pest inspector is licensed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. WSU Extension (gardening tips, 4-H, ag research)• Where can I get advice on my gardening questions, the Master Gardner program, or general agriculture issues?Washington State University Extension provides leadership in agriculture, land-use stewardship, and other natural resource issues, supports 4-H youth development programs, and conducts adult leadership training. Browse to http://ext.wsu.edu/locations for a list of offices in Washington. The WSU Extension’s home Web page is at http://ext.wsu.edu |