PDFWAC 16-302-865

Seed standards for hemp certification.

Hemp seed standards for each class are as follows:
 
Foundation
Registered
Certified
Pure seed (minimum)
98.00%
98.00%
98.00%
Inert matter (maximum)*
2.00%
2.00%
2.00%
Weed seed (maximum)
0.10%
0.10%
0.10%
Total Other crop (maximum)
0.01%
0.03%
0.08%
Other varieties (maximum)
0.005%
0.01%
0.05%
Other kinds (maximum)**
0.01%
0.03%
0.07%
Germination (minimum)***
80.00%
80.00%
80.00%
*
Inert matter shall not include more than 0.5 percent of material other than seed fragments of the variety under consideration.
**
Other kinds shall not exceed 2 per lb. (454 grams) for foundation; 6 per lb for registered; 10 per lb for certified.
***
Exclusive of dormancy, firm or hard seed, or any other reference to viability.
(1) Foundation seed production: Any means of processing or conditioning of seed from a foundation production area which may contaminate the varietal purity of the seed is prohibited.
(2) Area of foundation fields:
(a) When unforeseen circumstances do not permit proper maintenance of the entire field, it is recommended that the area be reduced by destroying part of the field or by isolating a part to meet the requirements of a lower status of certified seed. The remainder of the field must meet the requirements for foundation field production.
(b) The area of a foundation field includes the "walkways" provided within the field to facilitate effective roguing.
(3) Recommended production procedures:
(a) Field planting:
(i) Fields should be planted to facilitate inspection, roguing, and harvesting.
(ii) Fields should be planted in areas easily accessible for frequent maintenance and to provide the maximum protection from outside sources of contamination, such as roadways and building sites.
(iii) Regulations for land requirements are minimum standards and caution is necessary in choosing land, as volunteer growth from previous crops may vary according to local conditions.
(iv) The regulations for isolation are minimum standards. It is always to the grower's advantage to provide more isolation than required. When planting foundation fields, specific requirements may influence the location and size of the field. It is a safeguard if adjacent crops are the same variety as the field and are inspected for certified status.
(b) Roguing:
(i) The field must be thoroughly and intensively rogued many times throughout the crop season.
(ii) Off-type male flowers must be removed before the receptive stage of female flowers in the inspected crop.
(iii) The numbers and kinds of plants removed should be recorded and described on the appropriate forms.
(iv) All male flowers rogued from the crop must be removed from the production area and burial is recommended.
(v) Regrowth of rogued flowers or plants must be prevented.
(c) Harvesting, cleaning, and storing:
(i) A seed grower should have access to the necessary equipment for harvesting and cleaning the seed from the field in such a manner as to ensure that the varietal purity of the seed is maintained.
(ii) The seed should be stored, in compliance with federal or state regulations, in a clean, cool, dry area.
(iii) The seed containers should be labeled for identification in compliance with chapter 16-301 WAC.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.49.005, [15.49].021, [15.49].310, [15.49].370, and 15.140.030. WSR 21-20-101, § 16-302-865, filed 10/4/21, effective 11/4/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 15.120.030(3), 15.49.021, 15.49.310, and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 17-08-090, § 16-302-865, filed 4/5/17, effective 5/6/17.]