Frequently Asked Questions

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 [external link], Washington Field Office.

WSDA has compiled a summary and map of Washington's top crops and the state's food processing industries. USDA developed the "Pride of Washington State" [PDF] brochure based on the federal agency's 2007 Census of Agriculture.

[Top of Page]

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 pages regarding importing or exporting animals include the USDA state regulations Website and the USDA import/export Website.

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.

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.

"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:

Go to the Washington State Department of Agriculture Website 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 Website has more information on our Livestock Identification Program.

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.

[Top of Page]

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

[Top of Page]

Visit our employment page at http://agr.wa.gov/employment

[Top of Page]

Visit the Washington State Department of Agriculture Website at http://agr.wa.gov/Marketing/AgFairs

For more information about state fairs go to the Washington State Fairs Association at http://www.wastatefairs.com [external link]

[Top of Page]

The product database at http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/Fertilizers/ProductDatabase.aspx 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 website 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.aspx

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

[Top of Page]

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

[Top of Page]

The Washington State Department of Agriculture maintains a website with a database list of suppliers and commodities at http://impact.wsu.edu/WAsuppliers

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 website at http://agr.wa.gov/Marketing for information. You can also send email to ag-export@agr.wa.gov

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.

[Top of Page]

You may download a WSDA application and review our handbook from our Web site at http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/FoodProcessors

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.

[Top of Page]

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

[Top of Page]

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.aspx

[Top of Page]

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.

[Top of Page]

Go to the website for our Organic Food Program. You'll find lists of organic producers (growers), handlers and processors and learn more about this program.

[Top of Page]

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.

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.

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

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

Please visit the California Department of Agriculture [external link] website to learn about their requirements for bringing produce into California:
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/factsheets/BringingFruitsVeggies_to_CA.pdf [external PDF]

[Top of Page]

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 email our licensing staff at license@agr.wa.gov or visit http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/LicensingEd/Licensing.aspx

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.aspx

Currently licensed structural pest inspectors are listed at http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/LicensingEd/ListStructuralPestInspectors.aspx

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).

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.

[Top of Page]

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

[Top of Page]