State Tree Seed Legislation

All 50 States have seed laws primarily concerned with the labeling and certification of agricultural seeds. For the kinds of plants specified in all 50 laws, each container of seed for sale in the State must have a label which clearly shows information such as the species, physical quality, general origin (usually by county), and seed producer or seller. Physical quality usually is based on tests at a specified seed laboratory. Other information, such as that on origin, does not require inspection or official verification. Many State seed laws also permit voluntary certification of seeds of certain specified plants. In a few States seed certification is handled by the regulatory officials, but inmost States it is delegated to an independent organization often associated with the agricultural experiment station. Such organizations (1) develop seed certification standards aimed at genetic improvement and maintenance of genetic identity, (2) inspect the areas and plants producing the seed, and (3) provide special certification tags for seed meeting their standards. The laws provide penalties for designating seed as "certified" if the designation has not been made by the legally authorized agency.

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Author(s): Paul O. Rudolf

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Issue 72 (1965)