2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 21 — Seeds › Section 21.83 — Label Requirements; Tree Or Shrub Seeds.

21.83 LABEL REQUIREMENTS; TREE OR SHRUB SEEDS.
Subdivision 1.
Form.
Each container of tree or shrub seed which is offered for sale for sowing purposes shall bear or have attached in a conspicuous place a plainly written or printed label or tag in the English language giving the information required by this section. This label statement shall not be modified or denied in the labeling or on another label attached to the container, except that labeling of seed supplied under a contractual agreement may be made by an invoice accompanying the shipment or by an analysis tag attached to the invoice if each bag or other container is clearly identified by a lot number stenciled on the container. Each bag or container that is not so stenciled must carry complete labeling.
Subd. 2.
Label content.
For all tree or shrub seed subject to this section the label shall contain:
(a) the common name of the species, and the subspecies if appropriate;
(b) the scientific name of the genus and species, and the subspecies if appropriate;
(c) the lot number or other lot identification;
(d) for seed collected from a predominantly indigenous stand, the area of collection given by latitude and longitude, or geographic description, or political subdivision such as state or county;
(e) for seed collected from a predominantly nonindigenous stand, the identity of the area of collection and the origin of the stand or the words "origin not indigenous";
(f) the elevation or the upper and lower limits of elevation within which the seed was collected;
(g) the percentage of pure seed by weight;
(h) for those kinds of seed for which standard testing procedures are prescribed:
(1) the percentage of germination exclusive of hard or dormant seed;
(2) the percentage of hard or dormant seed, if present; and
(3) the calendar month and year the percentages were determined by test; or
(4) in lieu of the requirements of clauses (1) to (3), the seed may be labeled "test is in progress, results will be supplied upon request";
(i) for those species for which standard germination testing procedures have not been prescribed by the commissioner, the calendar year in which the seed was collected; and
(j) the name and address of the person who labeled the seed or who sells the seed within this state.
Subd. 3.
Treated seed.
For all treated tree and shrub seeds for which a separate label may be used the label shall contain:
(a) a word or statement to indicate that the seed has been treated;
(b) the commonly accepted, coined, chemical, or abbreviated generic chemical name of the applied substance;
(c) the caution statement "Do not use for food, feed, or oil purposes" if the substance in the amount present with the seed is harmful to human or other vertebrate animals;
(d) in the case of mercurials or similarly toxic substances, a poison statement and symbol;
(e) a word or statement describing the process used when the treatment is not of pesticide origin;
(f) if the seed has been treated with an inoculant, the date beyond which the inoculant is considered ineffective. It shall be listed on the label as "inoculant: expires (month and year)" or wording which conveys the same meaning.
History:
1983 c 293 s 42; 2003 c 128 art 8 s 10