West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 61 - Agriculture › Title 61 - LEGISLATIVE RULE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Series 61-39 - Seed Certification Program › Section 61-39-7 - Seed Standards for Genetic Purity Certification

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
7.1. All certified seed must conform to the
				standards of purity and identity or variety in compliance with W. Va. Code
				§
									19-16-1
et seq
. and rules adopted thereunder. The general
				certification standards together with the specific crop certification standards
				established in this chapter are the basic requirements for genetic purity seed
				certification:
7.1.1. Only proprietary
				varieties and OECD varieties not of United States origin to be tagged under the
				OECD scheme are eligible for genetic purity certification;
7.1.2. Only the specific crop certification
				standards established in rule which pertain to genetic purity such as land
				requirements and isolation, apply for genetic purity certification. Fields
				shall not contain other varieties or off-type plants in excess of established
				standards. The grower is responsible for controlling noxious weeds to prevent
				seed formation;
7.1.3. Excessive
				prohibited and/or objectionable weeds, poor stands, lack of vigor, or other
				conditions, which make inspection by the certifying agency inaccurate, may be
				cause for rejection of a field;
7.1.4. Field inspection. A field inspection
				is made by the certifying agency each year at the time the seed crop is in
				bloom, or at other times as may be most advantageous to determine genetic
				purity. A complete record must be maintained on the condition of the field
				(weeds, crop mixtures, etc.) and all information reported to the authorized
				agent and/or grower. Upon completion of all requirements for field inspection,
				a final field inspection report is issued by the certifying agency that the
				seed produced passed genetic purity requirements;
7.1.5. Seed standards. The certifying agency
				shall test all lots to determine the purity and germination quality. Seed to be
				certified shall not contain seeds of other varieties or off-types in excess of
				standards established in this rule. The quality of each lot of seed represented
				to be certified shall be that which is normally acceptable in the marketing of
				high quality seed. Failure to maintain acceptable quality shall be considered
				cause for revoking permission to participate in seed certification by genetic
				purity;
7.1.6. Processing or
				conditioning requirements. Only those conditioning plants approved by the
				department are permitted to process seed for certification. Complete records
				shall be kept of all processing or conditioning. Blending of seed lots of the
				same variety from fields passing field inspections may be permitted with prior
				approval and if in accordance with requirements for blending. Sampling and all
				other operations involving certified seed shall be under supervision of the
				certifying agency. The sample must be obtained in accordance with official
				sampling procedures. The entire lot shall be cleaned and in condition for sale
				at the time of sampling. This sample must be submitted to the seed laboratory
				for testing to evaluate quality. Lots of questionable quality may be rejected
				and not eligible for certification;
7.1.7. Certification tags for seed meeting
				the genetic purity standards shall be clearly marked, "genetic purity
				certified"; and
7.1.8. Fees for
				genetic purity certification are as established for each seed crop and the
				authorized agent or grower is responsible for all fees.