§1561 Definition of terms

Summary

Defines key words used for the chapter about seeds, seed labels, and seed movement. United States — the several States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Person — includes partnerships, corporations, companies, societies, and associations. Interstate commerce — trade between States, Territories, possessions, D.C., or trade that goes through another place, and trade inside D.C. Seeds in interstate commerce for labeling — seeds are treated as interstate commerce when they are part of the usual flow of seed trade sent from one State expecting to end in another, including seeds sent for processing that will be shipped out, and tricks cannot remove them from that status. Foreign commerce — trade between the United States (or its territories) and foreign countries. Agricultural seeds — grass, forage, and field crop seeds listed by the Secretary. Vegetable seeds — seeds of garden or truck-farm crops sold as vegetable seeds. Weed seeds (subchapter II) — seeds or bulblets recognized as weeds by State, Puerto Rico, Guam, or D.C. law or rules. Noxious-weed seeds (subchapter II) — seeds or bulblets recognized as noxious by State or territory law or by the Secretary after investigation. Noxious-weed seeds (subchapter III) — a named list that includes Lepidium draba L., Lepidium repens (Schrenk) Boiss., Hymenophysa pubescens C. A. Mey., white top; Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., Canada thistle; Cuscuta spp., dodder; Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv., quackgrass; Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., Johnson grass; Convolvulus arvensis L., bindweed; Centaurea picris Pall., Russian knapweed; Sonchus arvensis L., perennial sowthistle; Euphorbia esula L., leafy spurge; and any others the Secretary adds. Origin — where the seed was grown. Kind — a group of related species known by one common name (for example, soybean or carrot). Variety — a subdivision of a kind that has distinct plant or seed traits (for example, Marquis wheat). Type — either a group of very similar varieties or a named variety that may be mixed with similar varieties under rules. Germination — the percent of seeds that make normal seedlings under usual conditions. Hard seeds — the percent that stay hard and do not take up water during the test period. Inert matter — all non-seed material such as broken seeds, chaff, fungus bodies, and stones. Label — written, printed, or graphic matter on or attached to the seed container. Labeling — all labels and other written or graphic materials that go with the seed, including invoices. Advertisement — representations about seed that are not on the label. False labeling/advertisement — labeling or ads that are false or misleading, subject to tolerances the Secretary sets. Screenings — material removed during cleaning that contains less than 25 percent live agricultural or vegetable seeds. In bulk — seed loose in transport or storage, not in bags or containers. Treated — seed given a substance or process to reduce or control pests or disease. Seed certifying agency — a state or approved foreign agency authorized to officially certify seed and meeting standards the Secretary approves for genetic purity and identity.