2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS › Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING › Chapter 103: PRODUCTS CONTROLLED › Subchapter 11: SEEDS › 7 §1043. Label requirements

§1043. Label requirements
Each container of agricultural, vegetable or tree and shrub seeds which is sold, offered for sale or exposed for sale within the State for sowing purposes shall bear thereon or have attached thereto in a conspicuous place a plainly written or printed label or tag in the English language, giving the following information:   [PL 1969, c. 42, §3 (AMD).]
1.  Agricultural seeds.
For agricultural seeds:
A. Commonly accepted name of kind or kind and variety of each agricultural seed component in excess of 5% of the whole and the percentage by weight of each in the order of its predominance. Where more than one component is required to be named, the word "mixture" or "mixed" shall be shown conspicuously on the label;
B. Lot number or other lot identification;
C. Origin, if known, of alfalfa, red clover and field corn, except hybrid corn. If the origin is unknown, that fact shall be stated;
D. Percentage by weight of all weed seeds;
E. The name and approximate number of each kind of secondary noxious-weed seed:
(1) Per ounce in Agrostis spp., Poa spp., Rhodes grass, Bermuda grass, timothy, orchard grass, fescues, alsike and white clover, reed canary grass, Dallis grass, ryegrass, foxtail millet, alfalfa, red clover, sweetclovers, lespedezas, smooth brome, crimson clover, Brassica spp., flax, Agropyron spp. and other agricultural seeds of similar size and weight or mixtures within this group; and
(2) Per pound in proso, Sudan grass, wheat, oats, rye, barley, buckwheat, sorghums, vetches and other agricultural seeds of a size and weight similar to or greater than those within this group or any mixtures within this group.
All determinations of noxious-weed seeds shall be subject to tolerances and methods of determination prescribed in the rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner under this subchapter;
F. Percentage by weight of agricultural seeds, which may be designated as "crop seeds," other than those required to be named on the label;
G. Percentage by weight of inert matter;
H. For each named agricultural seed:
(1) Percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed;
(2) Percentage of hard seed, if present;
(3) "Total germination and hard seed" may be stated as such, if desired;
(4) The calendar month and year the test was completed to determine such percentages;
I. Name and address of the person who labeled said seed or who sells, offers or exposes said seed for sale within this State.
2.  Vegetable seeds.
For vegetable seeds:
A. Name of kind and variety of seed;
B. For seeds which germinate less than the standard last established by the commissioner:
(1) Percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed;
(2) Percentage of hard seed, if present;
(3) The calendar month and year the test was completed to determine such percentages;
(4) The words "Below Standard" in not less than 8-point type.
C. Name and address of the person who labeled said seed or who sells, offers or exposes said seed for sale within this State.
3.  Tree and shrub seeds.
For tree and shrub seeds:
A. Name of kind and variety;   [PL 1969, c. 42, §4 (NEW).]
B. The percentage by weight of pure seed;   [PL 1969, c. 42, §4 (NEW).]
C. The percentage of germination;   [PL 1969, c. 42, §4 (NEW).]
D. The year of collection of such seed;   [PL 1969, c. 42, §4 (NEW).]
E. The specific locality, state and county in the United States or nearest equivalent political unit in the case of foreign countries, in which the seed was collected.   [PL 1969, c. 42, §4 (NEW).]
F. Name and address of the person who labeled said seed, or who sells, offers or exposes said seed for sale within this State.   [PL 1969, c. 42, §4 (NEW).]
[PL 1969, c. 42, §4 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1969, c. 42, §§3,4 (AMD).