| • |
The fruit and vegetable inspection program provides
phytosanitary certification, shipping point
inspection, third-party grading of raw product for
processing and export certification, and licenses
controlled atmosphere storage facilities. |
| • |
The grain inspection program provides inspection,
analytical, and weighing services to ensure orderly
commerce for grain, dry peas, lentils, rapeseed, and
similar commodities produced in Washington state or
shipped through Washington ports from other states. |
| • |
The grain warehouse audit program licenses, bonds,
and audits public grain storage warehouses and grain
dealers who buy covered commodities from producers.
Auditing procedures include verification of grain
records and purchase contracts with producers, and a
physical inventory of stored commodities at
warehouses. |
| • |
The food safety program inspects and licenses dairy
and food processing facilities and provides services
aimed to protect the public from injury and illness
caused by food, dairy, and egg products that are
contaminated, adulterated or otherwise unfit for
consumption. |
| • |
The dairy nutrient management program inspects dairy
farms; provides assistance; and enforces laws that
include state and federal water quality laws and
rules regarding animal feeding operations. |
| • |
The microbiology laboratory supports the food safety
program by testing food and dairy products for
quality measures and for food poisoning organisms,
and by examining food products for contamination by
insects, rodents or filth. The laboratory also
supports animal health programs by testing animal
blood and tissue for disease to aid in disease
eradication programs and to allow animals to move
interstate or internationally. |
| • |
The organic food program inspects and licenses
organic producers and processors. The program
provides services to consumers and supports the
organic food industry by ensuring that all food
products making organic claims meet standards for
organic production and labeling. |
| • |
The pesticide management division administers the
laws and rules related to pesticides, animal feed
and fertilizer, and administers the waste pesticide
disposal program. |
| • |
The pesticide compliance program enforces state and
federal pesticide laws, conducts routine inspections
of pesticide applications and pesticide distribution
facilities, and investigates allegations of
pesticide misuse. |
| • |
The registration services program registers
pesticides, fertilizer and animal feed distributed
in Washington; inspects fertilizer and feed
manufacturing, storage and distribution facilities;
conducts waste pesticide collection events; and
conducts environmental assessments related to
pesticide use in the state of Washington. |
| • |
The certification and training program provides
outreach and safety training on the use of
pesticides, licenses pesticide application
equipment, structural pest inspectors, dealer
managers, and commercial, public, and private
pesticide applicators, operators and consultants;
approves recertification courses; and tracks
educational credits on pesticide and inspector
licensees. |
| • |
The chemistry and hop program supports several
department programs by analyzing samples taken in
investigations of alleged pesticide misuse; monitors
food for pesticide residues; analyzes commercial
feed and fertilizer samples to determine if they
meet label guarantees; grades hops for seed, stem
and leaf content; and analyzes hops for brewing
value. |
| • |
The commission merchants program licenses commission
merchants, dealers, brokers, and cash buyers, which
includes administering required bonds and the
investigation of complaints. |
| • |
The pest program provides services aimed to prevent
the establishment of high-risk and exotic insects,
plant diseases, weeds and other pest species through
surveys, inspections, quarantines, and eradication
projects. |
| • |
Plant services program provides regulatory
inspection of nurseries in an effort to provide
consumers and the nursery industry with healthy,
pest-free and disease-free plant materials; enforces
quarantines to prevent pest introductions; and
provides testing and inspection services to assure
pest-free planting stock. |
| • |
The weights and measures program checks prepackaged
items to verify quantity of contents; inspects and
tests commercial weighing and measuring devices;
licenses public weighmasters and weighers; responds
to consumer complaints; surveys labeling and
advertising of products packaged or sold by weight,
measure, or count; and develops standards and
conducts compliance activities related to motor
fuels and biofuels. |