WAC 16-324-431   Digging, storage and premarketing.  (1) Each seed lot must be stored with its identity maintained. All tubers from a unit planting method must be numbered and stored as an identifiable unit for the next year's planting.

     (2) Each storage or room containing more than one seed lot must have a solid barrier between each lot.

     (a) The department will reject any seed lot in which ring rot or nematode is found.

     (b) Noncertified potatoes must not be stored in the same facility as certified seed potatoes.

     (3) The applicant must notify in writing receivers of any seed lot found to be infected with ring rot. The applicant must provide the department with a copy of this notification when it is sent to the receiver.

     (4) All seed classes must be graded according to the United States Standards for Grades of Seed Potatoes.

     (5) Each container or sack must be identified with an official Washington seed potato tag listing the grower's name, address, seed lot number, net weight, variety and classification unless such information is printed on the sacks or containers.

     (6) The department issues tags to the grower. The grower is required to comply with all of the following:

     (a) Tag the sack or container as the potatoes are sorted;

     (b) Allow inspection of graded seed potatoes at any time;

     (c) Remove the tags from out-of-grade potatoes under the supervision of the department; and

     (d) Return all unused tags to the department.

     (7) The department may issue a compliance agreement authorizing the grower to tag seed potatoes.

     (8) Bulk shipments must be identified with the information required in subsection (5) of this section.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 15.14 RCW. 02-12-010, § 16-324-431, filed 5/23/02, effective 6/23/02; 00-20-070, § 16-324-431, filed 10/3/00, effective 11/3/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 15.14.030. 97-11-028, § 16-324-431, filed 5/14/97, effective 6/14/97.]