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USDA/AMS RIN: 0581-AC74 Publication ID: Spring 2010 
Title: Federal Seed Act Amendments (LS-07-14) 
Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) routinely reviews its regulations to ensure that they are current and meet the needs of the program being administered. The latest review of the Federal Seed Act regulations identified a number of changes that are needed to bring the regulations up to date, to prevent conflicts with State regulations, and to continue to protect farmers and consumers of seed, as well as companies that purchase seed for resale. These changes will continue to help maintain a level playing field for all companies that ship seed in interstate commerce. In addition, AMS is proposing to designate seeds of additional species, recently added to the Federal Noxious Weed Act, as noxious when present in interstate seed shipments; change seed-testing regulations for certain grass kinds to reflect current industry testing procedures; update the regulations pertaining to labeling chemically treated seed to include current Environmental Protection Agency terminology; clarify the use of variety and brand names; add a requirement to label the percentage of dormant seed; remove an exemption from labeling the percentage germination for two kinds of seed; make changes to the seed certification standards and procedure to reflect current seed certification practices; and make corrective changes to punctuation and other minor errors. 
Agency: Department of Agriculture(USDA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 7 CFR 201   
Legal Authority: 7 USC 1551 to 1611   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  06/00/2010    
Final Action  12/00/2010    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Richard C. Payne
Chief, Seed Regulatory and Testing Branch
Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Marketing Service
Room 209, Suite C, 801 Summit Crossing Place,
Gastonia, NC 28054
Phone:704 810-8884
Fax:704 852-4109
Email: richard.payne2@usda.gov