Wyoming Administrative Code Agency 010 - Agriculture, Dept. of
Wyoming Administrative Code Agency 010 - Department of Agriculture
Overview
The Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA) is the state agency responsible for promoting and regulating agricultural activities in Wyoming. Agency 010 in the Wyoming Administrative Code encompasses rules and regulations adopted by the WDA covering a wide range of agricultural issues including:
Animal health and livestock regulation
Plant industry and pest control
Food safety and inspection
Agricultural marketing and promotion
Weights and measures regulation
Environmental concerns related to agriculture
The Department serves as both a regulatory body and a service provider to Wyoming’s agricultural community, aiming to protect public health, promote agricultural commerce, and ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
Authority and Purpose
The WDA’s authority flows from Wyoming statutes empowering it to regulate agriculture and related areas. This includes licensing, inspections, certifications, and enforcement actions to maintain standards in agricultural production and trade.
Key areas governed by Agency 010 regulations typically include:
Livestock health and disease control (e.g., quarantines, vaccinations)
Pesticide regulation and application standards
Certification of organic and specialty crops
Food safety inspections (milk, meat, produce)
Licensing and inspections of agricultural equipment and commodities
Enforcement of weights and measures for commercial transactions
Regulation of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers
The WDA also supports agricultural education, research, and marketing programs to enhance the economic viability of Wyoming’s agricultural sector.
Important Provisions in Agency 010 (Representative Summary)
Livestock Health Regulations: Requirements for disease reporting, quarantines, and animal movement controls to prevent spread of infectious diseases.
Pesticide Control: Licensing of pesticide applicators, restrictions on use, and safe handling protocols to protect public health and the environment.
Weights and Measures: Standards for scales, meters, and other devices used in commercial transactions to ensure accuracy and fairness.
Agricultural Product Inspection: Procedures for inspecting meat, dairy, and produce for safety and quality standards.
Enforcement and Penalties: Authority to conduct investigations, issue citations, impose fines, and revoke licenses for noncompliance.
Administrative Law Principles Applicable
1. Delegation and Rulemaking
The legislature delegates rulemaking authority to the Department of Agriculture to create detailed regulations that implement broad statutory mandates. The WDA must comply with Wyoming’s Administrative Procedure Act when adopting rules, including public notice and opportunity for comment.
2. Inspection and Enforcement Authority
The Department exercises quasi-judicial authority in enforcement matters. It must provide due process to regulated parties, including notice of violations and the right to a hearing before penalties are imposed.
3. Balancing Regulation and Economic Interests
Agricultural regulation often involves balancing public health and safety with the economic interests of farmers and businesses. Courts generally defer to agencies’ expertise in technical matters but require agencies to act within statutory bounds and avoid arbitrary decisions.
Illustrative Case Law Principles and Examples
While Wyoming-specific case law on Agency 010 may be limited, similar state-level agriculture agency cases illustrate these legal principles:
Case 1: Due Process in Enforcement Actions
Scenario: A livestock farmer challenges a quarantine order issued by the Department alleging no due process was afforded.
Legal Principle: Courts have held that agencies must provide adequate notice and opportunity to contest enforcement actions before penalties or restrictions become final.
Outcome: The order may be upheld if procedural safeguards were met; otherwise, it can be overturned.
Case 2: Rulemaking Validity
Scenario: An agricultural business challenges a pesticide regulation claiming the agency exceeded its authority or failed to follow proper rulemaking procedures.
Legal Principle: Courts review whether the agency complied with statutory rulemaking procedures (notice, comment, etc.) and whether the rule is reasonably related to the agency’s mandate.
Outcome: Rules may be struck down if procedural defects exist or if the agency acts beyond its statutory authority.
Case 3: Agency Deference in Technical Matters
Scenario: A dispute over the accuracy of commercial scales used by a grain elevator and the Department’s enforcement action.
Legal Principle: Courts often defer to the agency’s technical expertise in establishing and enforcing standards, provided the agency’s decisions are supported by evidence and within legal authority.
Outcome: Agency decisions are usually upheld unless arbitrary or capricious.
Summary
Wyoming Department of Agriculture (Agency 010) regulates a broad range of agricultural activities to promote safety, fairness, and economic viability.
It operates under delegated authority with rulemaking, inspection, and enforcement powers.
Administrative law requires adherence to procedural fairness in enforcement and proper rulemaking processes.
Courts generally defer to the Department’s technical expertise but protect regulated parties from arbitrary or unlawful agency action.
RELATED Blog
0 comments