Revised Code of Washington - RCW Title 16 Animals And Livestock (Formerly: Animals, Estrays, Brands, And Fences) - Section 16.57.010 Definitions

§ 16.57.010. Definitions

For the purpose of this chapter:

(1) "Department" means the department of agriculture of the state of Washington.

(2) "Director" means the director of the department or his or her duly authorized representative.

(3) "Person" means a natural person, individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, society, and association, and every officer, agent or employee thereof. This term shall import either the singular or the plural as the case may be.

(4) "Livestock" includes, but is not limited to, horses, mules, cattle, sheep, swine, and goats.

(5) "Brand" means a permanent fire brand or any artificial mark, other than an individual identification symbol, approved by the director to be used in conjunction with a brand or by itself.

(6) "Production record brand" means a number brand which shall be used for production identification purposes only.

(7) "Livestock inspection" or "inspection" means the examination of livestock or livestock hides for brands or any means of identifying livestock or livestock hides including the examination of documents providing evidence of ownership.

(8) "Individual identification symbol" means a permanent mark placed on a horse for the purpose of individually identifying and registering the horse and which has been approved for use as such by the director.

(9) "Registering agency" means any person issuing an individual identification symbol for the purpose of individually identifying and registering a horse.

(10) "Ratite" means, but is not limited to, ostrich, emu, rhea, or other flightless bird used for human consumption, whether live or slaughtered.

(11) "Microchipping" means the implantation of an identification microchip or similar electronic identification device to establish the identity of an individual animal:

(a) In the pipping muscle of a chick ratite or the implantation of a microchip in the tail muscle of an otherwise unidentified adult ratite;

(b) In the nuchal ligament of a horse unless otherwise specified by rule of the director; and

(c) In locations of other livestock species as specified by rule of the director when requested by an association of producers of that species of livestock.

(12) "Certificate of permit" means a form prescribed by and obtained from the director that is completed by the owner or a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner to show the ownership of livestock. It is used to document ownership of livestock while in transit within the state or on consignment to any public livestock market, special sale, slaughter plant or certified feed lot. It does not evidence inspection of livestock.

(13) "Inspection certificate" means a certificate issued by the director or a veterinarian certified by the director documenting the ownership of an animal based on an inspection of the animal. It includes an individual identification certificate.

(14) "Individual identification certificate" means an inspection certificate that authorizes the livestock owner to transport the animal out of state multiple times within a set period of time.

(15) "Self-inspection certificate" means a form prescribed by and obtained from the director that is completed and signed by the buyer and seller of livestock to document a change in ownership.

(16) "Horses" means horses, burros, and mules.

[2003 c 326 § 2; 1996 c 105 § 1; 1993 c 105 § 2; 1989 c 286 § 22; 1981 c 296 § 15; 1979 c 154 § 17; 1967 c 240 § 34; 1959 c 54 § 1.]

Notes:
     Legislative finding and purpose -- 1993 c 105: "The legislature finds that ratites have been raised for commercial purposes on farms in the United States for over sixty years and have been raised elsewhere for over one hundred twenty years.

In recognition that ratite farming is an agricultural pursuit, the purpose of this act is to assure that the regulatory mechanisms regarding animal health and ownership identification are in place." [1993 c 105 § 1.]

     Severability -- 1989 c 286: See note following RCW 16.04.010.

     Severability -- 1981 c 296: See note following RCW 15.08.010.

     Severability -- 1979 c 154: See note following RCW 15.49.330.

Sections:  16.57.010  16.57.015  16.57.020  16.57.023  16.57.025  16.57.030  16.57.040  16.57.050  16.57.060  16.57.070  16.57.080  16.57.090  16.57.100  16.57.105  16.57.110  Next

Last modified: April 7, 2009