Committee opens public hearing on maple syrup processing bill; producers urge simpler rules

The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee opened and closed a public hearing on House Bill 2062 on April 1, hearing testimony from producers, researchers and industry advocates who said current food-processing rules make it difficult to develop a maple syrup market in Washington.

Staff told the committee that HB 2062 would create a permitting and inspection program administered by the Department of Agriculture for maple syrup processing operations. Permits would be required every two years, with a permit and renewal fee of $250. The bill sets minimum standards for equipment, facilities and inspections: processors must use food-grade equipment, bottle finished product in new single-use containers, and require food-safety certification for persons preparing syrup. The department may not require a permanent structure, plumbing or on-site running water for processing. Private water sources must be tested at least annually, though operations of a certain small size that only bottle syrup and use hot evaporator water for sanitizing are exempt from water testing. A failed inspection would trigger a $150 follow-up inspection fee and additional fees for each compliance visit.

Representative Birnbaum, prime sponsor, said he had heard from producers across the state that regulations make commercial sugaring difficult and that the Department of Agriculture considers the activity low risk because sap and syrup are boiled. He described the bill as intended to "make it easier for folks who are working on our forests to be able to produce a commercially viable product without having the same regulatory touch that we would ask you to have for other food production." (Representative Birnbaum)

Remote and written testimony was strongly supportive. Richard Weese (Washington Hardwoods Commission/Small Forest Landowner Advisory Committee) said producers have spent large sums to comply with existing guidance without being able to sell under current rules and noted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies syrup as low risk. Dr. Elaine O'Neil, executive director of the Washington Farm Forestry Association, told the committee the bill provides a workable framework for bigleaf maple syrup production and said expanding market opportunities can help keep forest land forested. Daryl Dietrich, president of the Washington Maple Syrup Association and a nine-year producer, described sugaring as community building and said simpler rules would benefit local economies and forest conservation.

The chair closed the hearing after calling all registered supporters; the committee did not take action on the bill at this meeting. The record shows two pro testimonies in person and six pro written submissions; no con submissions were listed in the count provided to the committee.