Date: 1982-09-28
Speaker: DJ LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 7005. a bill to amend theFederal Seed Act to change certain labeling and testing requirements that have been rendered obsolete due to a number of advancements in seed technology and marketing. These changes are primarily of a technical nature. will eliminate undue burdens and expense on both the seed industry and the Federal Government. while maintaining adequate protection for users of seed. H.R. 7005 would amend title II of the Federal Seed Act to delete the requirement that any agricultural seed mixtures intended for lawn and turf seed purposes. in containers of 50 pounds or less. be labeled ai "FineTextured Grasses" or "Coarse Kinds." Because of the development of new improved varieties of grass seed. it has become increasingly difficult. and virtually impossible. from a legal standpoint. to make a distinction between these categories. The Association of American Seed Control officials has adopted a change in the Recommended Uniform State Seed Laws to eliminate the labeling requirement for these categories. A number of States have already adopted the labeling change. other States. however. are awaiting changes in the Federal Seed Act before changing their State laws. A member of the seed industry selling seeds on a national level finds it costly and burdensome in attempting to conform to these differing requirements. A second change made to the Federal Seed Act. pertaining to lawn seed mixtures. would revise the labeling requirement to provide that only the month and year of the oldest germination test be required. Since the test must be completed within a 5month period of the date of shipment. listing only the oldest germination test date would automatically cover those varieties within the mixture which had been tested at a later date. There is a great deal of information required on a small package of seed and. since this Is a control measure and does not afford the consumer additional protection. it would save time and money in printing the label and make It easier for the consumer to understand the information on the label. The bill amends the act to provide the Secretary of Agriculture with authority to extend the 5month period between the test date and date of shipment. when he finds that. under ordinary conditions of handling. the seed will maintain its germination qualities over a longer period of time. H.R. 7005 also contains a number of amendments to the Federal Seed Act relating to restrictions on the importation of seed. Title III of the Federal Seed Act now requires testing of imported seed to determine if it meets the pure live seed requirements of the act and whether the seed contains more than 2 per centum by weight of common weed seeds. According to testimony received by the committee. there is currently no demonstrated need for continuing to carry out these activities. Examining seed imports to determine that the level of common weed seed contamination does not exceed 2 per centum is not cost effective. In fiscal year 1980 anly 2 of over 9.000 Imported seed lots (1980) were determined to exceed that level. USDA believes that the current requirement does not protect the United States from contamination since these common weed species are prevalent throughout this country. Further it does not serve to protect seed buyers since domestic crop seeds containing various amounts of these same weed seeds are routinely marketed in this country. The amendment to delete requirements for pure live seed and common weed seed would not in any way affect the Departments responsibility for examining imports for the presence of noxious weed seed under the Noxious Weed Act. Many seed imports have been produced outside the United States for various reasons by or under the direct control of U.S. seed firms. with the balance produced or purchased under specific contract specifications for quality factors. Thus. the purity and germination qualities of imported seed are established prior to shipment. Once the seed enters interstate commerce. it must meet all requirements for the shipment of domestic seeds as established under the Federal Seed Act and State seed laws. Elimination of the requirements for pure live seed testing and testing for common weed seed contamination will facilitate movement of imported seed. reduce the workload in laboratory testing. and thus result in some cost savings. I ask all members to join me in supporting enactment of H.R. 7005.