Small business affected
This emergency rule may have an impact on persons or companies that deal in any hardwood firewood or ash materials in Dane County. The affected businesses are all small businesses. This emergency rule restricts the sale or distribution of ash trees and ash wood products plus any hardwood firewood from Dane County to locations outside of the county or any contiguously quarantined counties, and neighboring states.
The business impact of this emergency rule depends on the number of 1) nurseries that sell/distribute ash nursery stock outside these counties, 2) firewood producers/dealers that sell/distribute outside these counties, 3) sawmills that move untreated ash stock (green lumber) outside these counties, and 4) untreated wood waste (e.g. ash brush, chips, or mulch) that is moved outside these counties.
Dane County has a total of 61 licensed nursery growers that could possibly be growing ash nursery stock. Those growers will not be able to move or sell ash nursery stock outside of the quarantine area, though discussions with the Wisconsin Nursery Association indicate that few, if any, nurseries continue to sell ash trees. There are also an estimated 35 known firewood dealers in Dane County. Firewood dealers would need to be certified under s. ATCP 21.20 to sell or move firewood outside of the contiguous quarantine area. To obtain certification, a firewood dealer pays a $50 annual certification fee to DATCP and treats the firewood in a manner that ensures it is free of EAB. There are three lumber mills in Dane County and an estimated 20 other tree service/wood processing facilities that may also deal with ash. To transport ash wood products outside of the quarantine area they will have to enter into a compliance agreement with DATCP or APHIS that authorizes movement of ash products outside of the quarantine only when there is assurance that the movement will not spread EAB to non-quarantined locations.
Reporting, bookkeeping and other procedures
Nursery growers will not have any additional reporting or record-keeping requirements. Wood products industries (e.g. firewood producers or saw mills) who enter into a compliance agreement shall keep records of all regulated product movement that leaves the contiguous quarantine area.
Professional skills required
No additional professional skills are required.
Accommodation for small business
DATCP recognizes that every small business is different. DATCP will work with individual businesses to meet the requirements of the quarantine while accommodating the unique character of the individual business. Therefore compliance agreements will be designed to satisfy the regulations with minimal negative effects to the business.
Conclusion
This rule will help affected businesses in Dane County to move ash wood and material without moving EAB to areas free from EAB. This will in turn help to protect the resources on which the businesses depend. This rule may impose additional costs on some businesses, including small businesses, depending on the nature of their reliance on ash trees or ash wood products. The department works closely with each affected business to minimize any costs and these costs are outweighed by the protection of Wisconsin's ash resource.
Environmental Impact
This emergency rule will not have a significant impact on the environment.
Federal and Surrounding State Programs
Federal Programs
Under the federal Plant Protection Act, APHIS has responsibility for excluding, eradicating and controlling serious plant pests, including EAB. APHIS has instituted statewide quarantines on the movement of all ash wood for Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, in addition to portions of Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, and Tennessee. APHIS has also enacted quarantines for Brown, Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Ozaukee, Washington, Dodge, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Trempealeau, La Crosse, Vernon, Sauk, Crawford, and Douglas Counties in Wisconsin. The quarantines include restrictions on the movement of any hardwood (non-coniferous) firewood.
Surrounding State Programs
Surrounding states where EAB has been identified (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan) have state and federal quarantines that prohibit the movement of regulated articles out of quarantined areas. A regulated article can only move out of quarantined areas after it is certified by USDA or state officials.
DATCP Contact
Questions and comments (including hearing comments) related to this rule may be directed to:
Brian Kuhn or Christopher Deegan
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911
Telephone (608) 224-4590 or (608) 224-4573
E-Mail: brian.kuhn@wisconsin.gov or christopher.deegan@wisconsin.gov
FISCAL ESTIMATE
DOA-2048 (R 10/94) X ORIGINAL UPDATED
CORRECTED SUPPLEMENTAL
LRB or Bill No. / Adm. Rule No.
Ch. ATCP 21
Amendment No. (If Applicable)
Subject:
Emergency Rule for Quarantine of Dane County for Emerald Ash Borer
Fiscal Effect
State: X No State Fiscal Effect
Check below only if bill makes a direct appropriation or affects a sum sufficient appropriation.
Increase Existing Appropriation Increase Existing Revenues
Decrease Existing Appropriation Decrease Existing Revenues
Create New Appropriation
Increase Costs –
May be possible to absorb within agency's budget? Yes No
Decrease Costs
Local:
X No local government costs
5. Types of Local Gov. Unit Affected:
Towns Villages
Counties Cities
Other: County Drainage Boards
School Districts
WTCS Districts
1. Increase Costs
Permissive Mandatory
2. Decrease Costs
Permissive Mandatory
3. Increase Revenues
Permissive Mandatory
4. Decrease Revenues
Permissive Mandatory
Fund Source Affected:
GPR FED PRO PRS SEG SEG-S
Affected Ch. 20 Appropriations:
Assumptions Used in Arriving at Fiscal Estimate
The United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) positively identified Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Dane County near Warner Park in Madison on November 22, 2013. This emergency rule creates a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) quarantine for Dane County. A federal quarantine will be enacted approximately six to eight weeks after a formal submission by the state plant regulatory official. EAB is carried and spread by untreated ash wood products. A six week delay until enactment of the federal quarantines leaves too much time for businesses or individuals to move potentially EAB-infested material out of these counties to areas of Wisconsin or other states that are not infested with EAB.
EAB is an injurious exotic pest that now endangers Wisconsin's 750 million ash trees and ash resources. This insect has the potential to destroy entire stands of ash, and any incursion of EAB can result in substantial losses both to forest ecosystems and to urban trees, as well as the state's vital tourism and timber industries. The emerald ash borer has killed over fifty million trees in the Midwest and has cost several hundred million dollars in losses to the woodlot, nursery, landscape industries and municipalities. APHIS predicts the national urban impact alone from this pest may exceed $370 billion.
DATCP has plant inspection and pest control authority under s. 94.01, Stats., to adopt rules establishing quarantines or other restrictions on the importation into or movement of plants or other materials within this state, if these measures are necessary to prevent or control the spread of injurious plant pests. A quarantine order may prohibit the movement of any pest, or any plant, pest host or pest-harboring material which may transmit or harbor a pest.
The proposed rule will do the following:
Create a quarantine for EAB for Dane County that prohibits the movement of all hardwood species of firewood, nursery stock, green lumber, and other material living, dead, cut or fallen, including logs, stumps, roots, branches and composted and uncomposted chips of the genus Fraxinus (Ash wood), out of Dane County or any contiguous EAB quarantined counties.
Provide an exemption for items that have been inspected and certified by a pest control official and are accompanied by a written certificate issued by the pest control official.
Provide an exemption for businesses that enter into a state or federal compliance agreement. The compliance agreement describes in detail what a company can and cannot do with regulated articles.
This rule will be administered by DATCP. DATCP will have additional workload related to enforcing the quarantine but it will be able to absorb the projected workload and costs within DATCP's current budget and with current staff. The presence of EAB may produce additional workload for local governments in Dane County, but the quarantine itself will not produce any local fiscal impact.
Long - Range Fiscal Implications
If multiple infestations are found in this state, DATCP may experience substantial costs and personnel demands for providing regulatory oversight and working with affected industries. Costs may vary, depending on the nature and scope of the infestations, and cannot be accurately predicted at this time.
Agency Prepared by (Name & Phone No.):
DATCP / Christopher Deegan
(608-224-4573)
Authorized Signature:
Date:
November 26, 2013
Notice of Hearing
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
(DATCP DOCKET # 13-R-03 )
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announces that it will hold public hearings on a proposed rule to revise Chapter ATCP 82, relating to milk haulers.
DATCP will hold three public hearings at the times and places shown below. DATCP invites the public to attend the hearings and comment on the proposed rule.
Hearing Information
Date:   Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Time:  
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location:
  Room 129
  Eau Claire State Office Building
  718 West Clairemont Avenue
  Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701
Date:   Thursday, January 16, 2014
Time:  
9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location:
  Room 090 (Training Room)
  Department of Agriculture, Trade and
  Consumer Protection
  2811 Agriculture Drive
  Madison, Wisconsin 53718
Date:   Friday, January 17, 2014
Time:  
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location:
  Room 152B
  200 N. Jefferson Street
  Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301
Hearing impaired persons may request an interpreter for this hearing. Please make reservations for a hearing interpreter by January 3, 2014, by writing to Sandra Cleveland, Division of Food Safety, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8911; or by emailing sandy.cleveland@wisconsin.gov; or by telephone at (608) 224-4712. Alternatively, you may contact the DATCP TDD at (608) 224-5058. The hearing facility is handicap accessible.
Place where Comments are to be Submitted and Copies of the Rule
Following the public hearings, the hearing record will remain open until January 31, 2014 for additional written public comments. Comments may be sent to the Division of Food Safety at the address below, or to Peter.Haase@wisconsin.gov, or to http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov.
You can obtain a free copy of this hearing draft rule and related documents including the economic impact analysis by contacting the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Division of Food Safety, 2811 Agriculture Drive, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, Wisconsin 53708. You can also obtain a copy by calling Sandra Cleveland at (608) 224-4670 or by emailing sandy.cleveland@wisconsin.gov. Copies will also be available at the hearing. To view the hearing draft rule online, go to: http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov.
Comments or concerns relating to small business may also be addressed to DATCP's small business regulatory coordinator Keeley Moll at the address above, or by email to keeley.moll@wisconsin.gov, or by telephone at (608) 224-5039.
Analysis Prepared by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Chapter ATCP 82 (Milk Haulers) regulates bulk milk tanker licensing, construction, maintenance, cleaning, and sanitizing requirements; bulk milk weigher and sampler requirements, and mandatory procedures for collecting milk from dairy farms and delivering milk to a dairy plant and collecting milk samples for testing. This rule revision will align Wisconsin's regulations with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) by allowing bulk milk weighers and samplers to collect partial loads of milk.
Statutes interpreted
Section 97.21, Stats., (Milk haulers and milk distributors).
Statutory authority
Sections 93.07 (1), 97.09 (4), and 97.21 (6), Stats.
Explanation of statutory authority
DATCP has broad general authority, under s. 93.07 (1), Stats., to adopt rules to implement programs under its jurisdiction. DATCP also has general authority under s. 97.09 (4), Stats., to adopt rules specifying standards to protect the public from the sale of adulterated or misbranded foods. The department has specific authority to promulgate rules related to milk haulers under s. 97.21 (6), Stats., which allows the department to establish rules related to: fees and regulations for bulk milk tanker operators and milk distributors; standards for the construction, maintenance, and sanitary operation of bulk milk tankers, milk distribution vehicles, and milk distribution facilities; the design, installation, cleaning, and maintenance of equipment and utensils; personnel sanitation; storage and handling of milk and fluid milk products; identification of bulk milk tankers and milk distribution vehicles; and record keeping.
Related statutes and rules
Wisconsin's milk haulers are governed by ch. 97, Stats. (Food Regulation). Milk haulers and milk distributors are regulated under s. 97.21, Stats., (Milk haulers and milk distributors). Chapter 82, Wis. Adm. Code, interprets ch. 97, Stats., as it relates to milk haulers and milk distributors.
Plain language analysis
The dairy industry is an important part of Wisconsin's economy. Wisconsin ranks second nationally in milk production and has 10,900 licensed dairy farms. Milk is shipped from each of these farms in a licensed bulk milk tanker (approximately 4,000 in Wisconsin) to one of more than 400 licensed dairy plants in the state or to a licensed dairy plant in another state. Safe and sanitary handling of milk throughout the collection and transportation process is critical for protecting the quality of milk produced in this state. Accurate measurement of collected milk and proper sampling of milk for analysis help ensure fair payment and milk safety, respectively.
The following proposed rule changes are needed to maintain Wisconsin's reputation for its world class dairy products by ensuring that inspection practices are aligned with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Grade “A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). The PMO establishes minimum standards for Grade “A" dairy products. Wisconsin dairy producers and bulk milk weighers and samplers must meet state regulatory standards equivalent to or more stringent than those in the PMO to be allowed to ship Grade “A" milk in interstate commerce. The PMO standards are established by the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS), which consists of voting representatives from dairy regulatory agencies in each state.
Partial collections of milk from bulk milk tanks
The rule proposes adopting a provision of the PMO that allows bulk milk weighers and samplers to make partial collections of milk from bulk tanks on dairy farms under certain conditions. Currently, ch. ATCP 82 essentially requires bulk milk weighers and samplers to empty a bulk milk tank each time they collect milk from the farm. The regulation states that no milk can be added to the bulk milk tank until after the tank has been emptied. The original intent of the regulation was to ensure that a dairy producer's bulk tank was regularly cleaned and sanitized and to ensure that collection-to-collection transfers of illegal drug residues did not occur, which could result in increased financial losses to dairy producers forced to dump multiple loads of milk.
Despite these worthwhile intentions, the requirement prohibiting partial collection of milk from a bulk tank is outdated. Farm sanitation methods have improved since Wisconsin's rule was first adopted. Frequent testing can allow dairy plants to quickly address problems related to bulk tank cleanliness and drug residues. As the number of dairy farms has decreased, farms have become larger, and per cow milk production has risen, many farms have purchased larger or additional bulk tanks, thereby creating new challenges for managing milk collection. On other farms, milk production increases have outpaced the expansion of milk tank volume, which also creates milk collection challenges. Allowing partial collection of milk from bulk tanks will provide industry with the flexibility needed to manage milk collection from farms more efficiently. In the long run, increased flexibility for collection of milk may result in fewer trips required to haul milk, with associated fuel savings, and less wear and tear on roadways.
The PMO allows partial collection of milk provided that certain practices are used to maintain the quality of milk. The proposed rule adopts these practices, which include a requirement that the bulk tank is emptied, cleaned and sanitized within 72 hours and that an acceptable temperature-recording device is installed and operating on the tank. To ensure proper regulatory oversight of partial collections of milk, the proposed rule also requires a bulk milk weigher and sampler to record when a partial pickup is made and when the bulk tank is emptied.
Bulk milk tanker grade “A" permit reciprocity
The proposed rule also seeks to clarify and strengthen reciprocity requirements for bulk milk tanker Grade “A" permits. The PMO requires that each bulk milk tank truck delivering Grade “A" raw milk and milk products bear a Grade “A" permit. Grade “A" permits may only be issued after satisfactory completion of an inspection that addresses specific items outlined in the PMO. Each bulk milk tanker is required to be inspected once per year and the bulk milk tanker operator must be able to show proof of a current permit and passed inspection to deliver Grade “A" milk and milk products. The PMO requires that each bulk milk tanker only need bear one permit from an appropriate state regulatory agency and that each permit be recognized by the appropriate regulatory agencies in other states under the reciprocal agreements of the NCIMS.
Under s. 97.21 (2) (a) and (b), Stats., any bulk milk tanker that operates in Wisconsin must hold a license and a Grade “A" permit. Under the current rule, a Grade “A" permit is routinely issued for each tanker as an endorsement on the license. Since any tanker that operates in Wisconsin must hold a license, Grade “A" permits are issued both to tankers based in Wisconsin and out-of-state tankers that operate in Wisconsin. However, because Wisconsin-licensed tankers are not necessarily based in Wisconsin, it may not be possible to conduct the annual inspection required to make the Grade “A" permit valid.
The proposed rule will end the practice of routinely providing a Grade “A" permit as part of the licensing process and clarify that a Grade “A" permit will only be granted after completion of the required annual inspection, as required by the PMO. It also clarifies that the department will recognize valid Grade “A" permits issued by another equivalent state regulatory agency if the bulk milk tanker operator can provide proof of a current passed inspection. These changes will allow out-of-state tankers to seek Grade “A" inspections from the regulatory agency in the state in which their tankers are based and will bring Wisconsin into compliance with reciprocity requirements of the PMO and the NCIMS.
Certified industry inspection program for bulk milk tankers
Often, logistical issues make it difficult for the department to schedule annual bulk milk tanker inspections in a timely manner. Bulk milk tankers must hold a valid Grade “A" permit and demonstrate they've passed an annual inspection to deliver Grade “A" milk and milk products. If a Wisconsin tanker tries to deliver Grade “A" milk or milk products without a current inspection, the tanker load may be turned away or another state regulatory agency may conduct an inspection and charge the tanker operator a fee. To ensure that all Wisconsin-based bulk milk tankers receive an annual inspection, the proposed rule will also establish a certified industry inspection program for inspecting bulk milk tankers.
Section 5 of the PMO allows state regulatory agencies to certify certain industry personnel to carry out bulk milk tanker inspections. Certified industry inspections are carried out under a cooperative arrangement with the state regulatory agency. Section 97.32, Stats., also establishes procedures that allow the department to appoint industry personnel to conduct special food and dairy inspections. The proposed rule allows the department to select industry inspection personnel for the certified inspection program in accordance with s. 97.32, Stats., and adopts PMO procedures for conducting certified industry inspections. The PMO establishes stringent procedures for ensuring proper regulatory oversight of industry inspections so that inspections are conducted consistently and that they effectively evaluate bulk milk tanker equipment construction, cleaning, sanitation and repair. The rule authorizes certified industry inspectors to perform all regulatory actions associated with issuing a Grade “A" permit for bulk milk tankers, establishes selection procedures, establishes a certification period of 3 years, and establishes record retention requirements. The proposed rule allows the department to revoke certification if a certified industry inspector fails to meet the requirements of the program. Under the proposed rule, bulk milk tankers must be inspected annually by the department, another equivalent regulatory agency, or a certified industry inspector.
Other changes to modernize Chapter ATCP 82
In addition to clarifying practices for recognizing reciprocity with other states for bulk milk tanker Grade “A" permits and allowing partial collection of milk from bulk tanks, the proposed rule also makes other changes designed to modernize the rule and further align the rule with the PMO. The proposed rule:
  Removes the definition of “milk hauler" and use of the term “milk hauler" and instead defines and uses “bulk milk weigher and sampler" to reflect current terminology which more fully encompasses the tasks performed. The definitions are also revised to clarify that use of the term “department" throughout the rule refers to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
  Removes the requirement that a bulk milk tanker operator must clean and sanitize the milk tankers and instead specifies that the tanker must be cleaned and sanitized adequately. The proposed rule focuses on the task that must be accomplished, rather than who must accomplish it.
  Clarifies that personnel at the entity responsible for cleaning and sanitizing a bulk milk tanker must remove the old cleaning tag and retain it, and put a new cleaning tag on the tanker. Formerly, the tanker operator retained the old tag. The proposed rule thereby keeps the records at the location where the documented action occurred.
  Adds a requirement that, in addition to obtaining a license, a Bulk Milk Weigher and Sampler who seeks to hold the Grade “A" permit necessary for collection of Grade “A" samples must be inspected every two years. This requirement will bring Wisconsin's bulk milk weigher and sampler requirements into compliance with the PMO. There will be no additional fees for these inspection and permit requirements.
  Removes the requirements that the tanker access port(s) be sealed after the tanker is filled with milk, and that a broken seal(s) must be reported to the department. This requirement was originally added to ch. ATCP 82 in response to industry concerns about intentional adulteration (tampering). However, the PMO does not require tanker access ports to be sealed after filling, and the Wisconsin requirement to report broken seals to the department has only been occasionally invoked. When the requirement has been invoked, it has proven to be superfluous in light of existing industry food defense practices.
Summary of, and comparison with existing or proposed federal statutes and regulations
The PMO establishes minimum standards for regulation of Grade “A" dairy products. States must set standards equivalent to, or more stringent than, those in the PMO to be allowed to ship Grade “A" milk in interstate commerce. These rule changes will bring Wisconsin's regulations regarding milk pick up, sampling and delivery in line with the 2011 PMO.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states
Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois adopt the PMO as part of their dairy regulations and therefore already allow partial collection of milk from bulk milk tanks. The proposed rule will also align Wisconsin's regulations with the PMO and these neighboring states for licensing and permitting of Grade “A" tankers and Bulk Milk Weighers and Samplers. Each of these states licenses milk tankers, and issues a Grade “A" permit after inspection. Some states charge a fee associated with these inspections.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies
Proposed rule changes were developed after consultation with industry, a review of PMO requirements, and a review of practices in neighboring states.
Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business
The PMO makes no distinction between large and small businesses in establishing requirements for Grade “A" collecting, sampling and transporting milk and milk products. The expected cost for installing a 7-day temperature recording device was determined after consultation with industry.
Effect on Small Business
The proposed rule changes will impact dairy producers, dairy plants, and companies that operate bulk milk tankers, many of which may be small businesses. The proposed rule does not substantially alter requirements which dairy-related businesses already meet. The rule does not increase license or permit fees. All Grade “A" dairy businesses, whether large or small, must meet regulations that are substantially in compliance with the FDA's PMO in order to collect, sample, and transport Grade “A" dairy products and no special accommodation may be made for small businesses. Allowing partial collection of milk from bulk tanks will be voluntary, but will provide management flexibility to businesses of all sizes, including small businesses. Other provisions, such as clarifying reciprocity procedures and adopting a certified industry inspection program for bulk milk tankers, will also benefit small businesses by ensuring the timely inspection of tankers for Grade “A" permits. A valid Grade “A" permit is required to transport and deliver Grade “A" dairy products.
If the proposed rule is adopted, some dairy producers may incur costs if they need to purchase a 7-day temperature recording-device for their bulk milk tank. The PMO requires all bulk milk tanks produced after January 1, 2000 to be equipped with an approved temperature recording device, but dairy producers who own older tanks may need to purchase a temperature recording device to allow partial collection of milk from their bulk tanks. However, partial collection of milk from bulk tanks will be voluntary and individual dairy businesses will determine whether to use this option based on their own business needs. Producers will not be required to install a 7-day temperature recording device if partial collections of milk are not made from the tank. Producers who have partial collections of milk from their bulk tanks may expect to offset some costs through reduced water and chemical use for bulk tank cleaning.
Proposed rule changes related to inspecting and providing Grade “A" permits for bulk milk tankers and bulk milk weighers and samplers who seek to hold a Grade “A" permit will have no impact on small business since bulk milk tankers and bulk milk weighers and samplers are already required to be licensed and inspected. The rule does not increase license or permit fees.
The proposed rule also assists small businesses by simplifying regulations regarding cleaning and sanitizing milk tankers, clarifying procedures for retaining bulk milk tanker cleaning tags, and removing an unnecessary requirement for reporting broken seals on tankers.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Rule summary
The following proposed rule changes are needed to maintain Wisconsin's reputation for its world class dairy products by ensuring that inspection practices are aligned with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Grade “A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). The PMO establishes minimum standards for Grade “A" dairy products. Wisconsin dairy producers and bulk milk weighers and samplers must meet state regulatory standards substantially equivalent to, or more stringent than, those in the PMO in order for Wisconsin Grade “A" milk to enter interstate commerce. The PMO standards are established by the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS), which consists of voting representatives from dairy regulatory agencies in each state.
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