EXPEDITED RULES
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 16-301-015 Seed labeling requirements for agricultural,
vegetable, and flower seed.
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Victor Shaul, Washington State Department of Agriculture, 21 North First Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902 , AND RECEIVED BY September 7, 2011.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Updating the telephone number for the department's seed program will allow affected stakeholders to more efficiently contact the department.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: To keep the contact information for the department current.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 15.49.310 and chapter 34.05 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 15.49.310.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: [Department of agriculture], governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Victor Shaul, Yakima, (509) 249-6950.
June 23, 2011
Brad J. Avy
Assistant Director
OTS-4041.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 00-24-077, filed 12/4/00,
effective 1/4/01)
WAC 16-301-015
Seed labeling requirements for
agricultural, vegetable, and flower seeds.
(1) Each container
of agricultural, vegetable or flower seeds, that is sold,
offered or exposed for sale, or transported within this state
for sowing purposes, must bear or have attached to the
container a plainly written or printed label or tag in the
English language; and
(a) The label provides information required in WAC 16-301-060 through 16-301-085 on treated seeds in addition to the information required in subsection (2) of this section; and
(b) The label is placed in a conspicuous manner on the seed container; and
(c) The printed label or tag is not modified or denied in the labeling or on any label attached to the seed container.
(2) Each container of agricultural, vegetable or flower
seeds, that is sold, offered or exposed for sale, or
transported within this state for sowing purposes must bear
"Requirement for arbitration - The Washington State Seed Act,
chapter 15.49 RCW, requires mandatory arbitration of disputes
involving allegedly defective seed. See chapter 16-301 WAC or
contact the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Seed
Program, (((509) 225-2630)) 509-249-6950," on:
(a) The analysis tag; or
(b) A separate tag or label attached securely to each container; or
(c) Printed in a conspicuous manner on the side of each container; or
(d) Alternate wording may be approved in writing by the department to meet the needs of the industry.
(3) Except for grass seed mixtures, and hybrids that contain less than ninety-five percent hybrid seed, the label for agricultural seeds must contain the following information:
(a) The name of the kind and variety of each agricultural seed present in excess of five percent of the whole and the percentage by weight of each or if the variety is not listed with the certifying agency, the name of the kind and the words, "variety not stated." Hybrids must be labeled as hybrids; and
(b) The lot number or other lot identification; and
(c) The origin state or foreign country, if known. If the origin is not known, that fact shall be stated on the label; and
(d) The percentage, by weight, of all weed seeds present. The maximum weed seed content may not exceed two percent by weight; and
(e) The name and rate of occurrence in seeds per pound of each kind of restricted noxious weed seed present; and
(f) The percentage by weight of agricultural seeds, which may be designated as "crop seeds," other than those required to be named on the label; and
(g) The percentage by weight of inert matter; and
(h) The percentage of seed germination, exclusive of hard seed, and the percentage of hard seed, if present, or "total germination and hard seed" as a single percentage; and
(i) The calendar month and year the seed germination test was completed to determine such percentages; and
(j) The name and address of the person who labels, sells, offers, or exposes for sale seed within this state.
(4) For seed that is coated the label must also contain the following:
(a) The percentage of pure seed with coating material removed;
(b) The percentage of coating material shown as a separate item in close association with the percentage of inert material;
(c) The percentage of germination as determined on four hundred coated seed pellets, with or without seeds.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.49.005, 15.49.081, 15.49.310, 15.49.370(3) and chapter 17.24 RCW. 00-24-077, § 16-301-015, filed 12/4/00, effective 1/4/01.]