§1571 — Title 7 Agriculture | U.S. Code

Summary

It is illegal to move or ship seeds across state lines unless their containers have the required labels and meet other rules. For agricultural seed mixes, labels must show the name and percent by weight of any seed that is more than 5% of the mix, say if a seed is a hybrid, and for lawn/turf mixes say “mixture” and list components by amount. Labels must also show a lot number, the origin when that origin matters and is known (or say “origin unknown”), percent weed seeds and any noxious weed types with their allowed rates, percent other agricultural seed, percent inert matter, germination and hard-seed percentages for components over 5% (and for small components 5% or less), and the month and year the germination test was done (for mixtures it’s enough to give the oldest test date). Labels must give the name and address of the shipper or the buyer for resale (a code approved by the Secretary of Agriculture may be used), and the month and year after which any inoculant is no longer claimed effective. Vegetable seed labels have similar rules, with different details for containers one pound or less and for containers over one pound; if germination is below the standard the label must include the words “Below Standard” and test results. Seeds must have germination tests done within the five months before shipment unless the Secretary of Agriculture allows a shorter or longer period for certain seeds. It is also illegal to ship seeds with false labels or false advertising. Seeds that must be stained but are not stained, seeds stained to look like required-stained seed, mixtures of differently stained seeds, and certain mixtures with U.S.-grown seed are banned. Screenings are banned for seeding unless they are labeled or invoiced as only for cleaning, processing, or manufacturing. Treated seeds must be labeled that they were treated, name the chemical used, give an approved caution if harmful (for example “Do not use for food or feed or oil purposes”), and, for mercurial-type poisons, show a skull-and-crossbones and a statement such as “This seed has been treated with POISON” in red letters on a contrasting background, plus a description of the treatment process.

Title 7, §1571

Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

It shall be unlawful for any person to transport or deliver for transportation in interstate commerce—

(a)Any agricultural seeds or any mixture of agricultural seeds for seeding purposes, unless each container bears a label giving the following information, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed under section 1592 of this title.

(1)The name of the kind or kind and variety for each agricultural seed component present in excess of 5 per centum of the whole and the percentage by weight of each: Provided, That (A), except with respect to seed mixtures intended for lawn and turf purposes, if any such component is one which the Secretary of Agriculture has determined, in rules and regulations prescribed under section 1592 of this title, is generally labeled as to variety, the label shall bear, in addition to the name of the kind, either the name of such variety or the statement “Variety Not Stated”, (B) in the case of any such component which is a hybrid seed it shall, in addition to the above requirements, be designated as hybrid on the label, and (C) seed mixtures intended for lawn and turf purposes shall be designated as a mixture on the label and each seed component shall be listed on the label in the order of predominance;

(2)Lot number or other identification;

(3)Origin, stated in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section, of each agricultural seed present which has been designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as one on which a knowledge of the origin is important from the standpoint of crop production, if the origin is known, and if each such seed is present in excess of 5 per centum. If the origin of such agricultural seed or seeds is unknown, that fact shall be stated;

(4)Percentage by weight of weed seeds, including noxious-weed seeds;

(5)Kinds of noxious-weed seeds and the rate of occurrence of each, which rate shall be expressed in accordance with and shall not exceed the rate allowed for shipment, movement, or sale of such noxious-weed seeds by the law and regulations of the State into which the seed is offered for transportation or transported or in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, when under the provisions of section 1561(a)(9)(A)(iii) of this title he shall determine that weeds other than those designated by State requirements are noxious;

(6)Percentage by weight of agricultural seeds other than those included under paragraph (a)(1) of this section;

(7)Percentage by weight of inert matter;

(8)For each agricultural seed, in excess of 5 per centum of the whole, stated in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and each kind or variety or type of agricultural seed shown in the labeling to be present in a proportion of 5 per centum or less of the whole, (A) percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed, (B) percentage of hard seed, if present, and (C) the calendar month and year the test was completed to determine such percentages, except that, in the case of a seed mixture, it is only necessary to state the calendar month and year of such test for the kind or variety or type of agricultural seed contained in such mixture which has the oldest calendar month and year test date among the tests conducted on all the kinds or varieties or types of agricultural seed contained in such mixture;

(9)Name and address of (A) the person who transports, or delivers for transportation, said seed in interstate commerce, or (B) the person to whom the seed is sold or shipped for resale, together with a code designation approved by the Secretary of Agriculture under rules and regulations prescribed under section 1592 of this title, indicating the person who transports or delivers for transportation said seed in interstate commerce;

(10)The year and month beyond which an inoculant, if shown in the labeling, is no longer claimed to be effective.

(b)Any vegetable seeds, for seeding purposes, in containers, unless each container bears a label giving the following information in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed under section 1592 of this title:

(1)For containers of one pound or less of seed that germinates equal to or above the standard last established by the Secretary of Agriculture, as provided under section 1593(c) of this title—

(A)The name of each kind and variety of seed, and if two or more kinds or varieties are present, the percentage of each, and further, that in the case of any such component which is a hybrid seed, it shall be designated as hybrid on the label; and

(B)Name and address of—

(i)the person who transports, or delivers for transportation, said seed in interstate commerce; or

(ii)the person to whom the seed is sold or shipped for resale, together with a code designation approved by the Secretary of Agriculture under rules and regulations prescribed under section 1592 of this title, indicating the person who transports or delivers for transportation said seed in interstate commerce;

(2)For containers of one pound or less of seed that germinates less than the standard last established by the Secretary of Agriculture, as provided under section 1593(c) of this title—

(B)For each named kind and variety of seed—

(i)the percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed;

(ii)the percentage of hard seed, if present;

(iii)the calendar month and year the test was completed to determine such percentages;

(iv)the words “Below Standard”; and

(C)Name and address of—

(i)the person who transports, or delivers for transportation, said seed in interstate commerce; or

(3)For containers of more than one pound of seed—

(A)The name of each kind and variety of seed, and if two or more kinds or varieties are present, the percentage of each and, further, that in the case of any such component which is a hybrid seed, it shall be designated as hybrid on the label;

(B)Lot number or other lot identification;

(C)For each named kind and variety of seed—

(i)the percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed;

(ii)the percentage of hard seed, if present;

(iii)the calendar month and year the test was completed to determine such percentages; and

(D)Name and address of—

(i)the person who transports, or delivers for transportation, said seed in interstate commerce; or

(c)Any agricultural or vegetable seed unless the test to determine the percentage of germination required by this section shall have been completed within a five-month period, exclusive of the calendar month in which the test was completed, immediately prior to transportation or delivery for transportation in interstate commerce: Provided, however, That the Secretary of Agriculture may by rules and regulations designate: (1) a shorter period for kinds of agricultural or vegetable seed which he finds under ordinary conditions of handling will not maintain, during the aforesaid five-month period, a germination within the established limits of tolerance; or (2) a longer period for any kind of agricultural or vegetable seed which (A) is packaged in such container materials and under such other conditions prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture as he finds will, during such longer period, maintain the viability of said seed under ordinary conditions of handling; or (B) the Secretary finds will maintain a percentage of germination within the limits of tolerance established under this chapter under ordinary conditions of handling.

(d)Any agricultural seeds or vegetable seeds having a false labeling, or pertaining to which there has been a false advertisement, or to sell or offer for sale such seed for interstate shipment by himself or others.

(e)Seed which is required to be stained under the provisions of this chapter and the regulations made and promulgated thereunder, and is not so stained.

(f)Seed which has been stained to resemble seed stained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the regulations made and promulgated thereunder.

(g)Seed which is a mixture of seeds which are required to be stained or which are stained with different colors under the provisions of this chapter and of the regulations made and promulgated thereunder, or which is a mixture of any seed required to be stained under the provisions of this chapter and of the regulations made and promulgated thereunder, with seed of the same kind produced in the United States.

(h)Screenings of any seed subject to this chapter, unless they are not intended for seeding purposes; and it is stated on the label, if in containers, or on the invoice if in bulk, that they are intended for cleaning, processing, or manufacturing purposes, and not for seeding purposes.

(i)Any agricultural seeds or any mixture thereof or any vegetable seeds or any mixture thereof, for seeding purposes, that have been treated, unless each container thereof bears a label giving the following information and statements in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed under section 1592 of this title:

(1)A word or statement indicating that the seeds have been treated;

(2)The commonly accepted coined, chemical (generic), or abbreviated chemical name of any substance used in such treatment;

(3)If the substance used in such treatment in the amount remaining with the seeds is harmful to humans or other vertebrate animals, an appropriate caution statement approved by the Secretary of Agriculture as adequate for the protection of the public, such as “Do not use for food or feed or oil purposes”: Provided, That the caution statement for mercurials and similarly toxic substances, as defined in said rules and regulations, shall be a representation of a skull and crossbones and a statement such as “This seed has been treated with POISON”, in red letters on a background of distinctly contrasting color; and

(4)A description, approved by the Secretary of Agriculture as adequate for the protection of the public, of any process used in such treatment.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1983—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–439, § 2(a), struck out “, except as provided in paragraph (j) of this section for seed mixtures intended for lawn and turf purposes,” after “following information” in provisions preceding par. (1). Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 97–439, § 2(b)(1), inserted “(A), except with respect to seed mixtures intended for lawn and turf purposes,” after “Provided, That”. Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 97–439, § 2(b)(2), substituted “, (B)” for “: And provided further, That”. Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Pub. L. 97–439, § 2(b)(3), added cl. (C). Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 97–439, § 3, inserted exception relating to the case of a seed mixture. Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 97–439, § 4(1), substituted “(1)” for “(a)”. Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 97–439, § 4(2), substituted “(2)” for “(b)”. Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 97–439, § 4(3), inserted “(A)” after “vegetable seed which”. Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 97–439, § 4(4), added cl. (B). Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 97–439, § 2(c), struck out subsec. (j) which directed that seed mixtures intended for lawn and turf purposes be transported or delivered for transport in interstate commerce in containers of fifty pounds or less, and specified the information to be placed on the label. 1966—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–686, § 4, inserted in introductory text, “, except as provided in subsection (j) of this section for seed mixtures intended for lawn and turf purposes,”. Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 89–686, § 5, amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “The name of (A) kind, or (B) kind and variety, or (C) kind and type, for each agricultural seed component present in excess of 5 per centum of the whole and the percentage by weight of each: Provided, That such components are expressed in accordance with the category designated under (A), (B), or (C);”. Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 89–686, § 6, added par. (10). Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–686, § 7, substituted provisions respecting labeling requirements for containers of one pound or less of seed that germinates equal to or above the standard last established by the Secretary of Agriculture in par. (1), containers of one pound or less of seed that germinates less than the standard last established by the Secretary in par. (2), and containers of more than one pound of seed in par. (3), for former labeling requirements which prescribed in par. (1) name of each kind and variety of seed and if two or more kinds or varieties are present, the percentage of each, in par. (2) for each variety of vegetable seed which germinates less than the standard last established by the Secretary of Agriculture, as provided under section 1593(c) of this title, the percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed; (ii) percentage of hard seed, if present; (iii) the calendar month and year the test was completed to determine such percentages; (iv) the words “Below Standard”; and in par. (3), name and address of— (A) the person who transports, or delivers for transportation, said seed in interstate commerce; or (B) the person to whom the seed is sold or shipped for resale, together with a code designation approved by the Secretary of Agriculture under

Rules and Regulations

prescribed under section 1592 of this title, indicating the person who transports or delivers for transportation said seed in interstate commerce. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89–686, § 8, substituted in cl. (b) “a longer period for any kind of agricultural or vegetable seed which is packaged in such container materials and under such other conditions prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture as he finds will, during such longer period, maintain the viability of said seed under ordinary conditions of handling” for “a longer period not to exceed nine months, exclusive of the calendar month in which the test was completed, for kinds of agricultural or vegetable seed which he finds under ordinary conditions of handling will maintain during such longer period a germination within the established limits of tolerance”. Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 89–686, § 9, transposed “of any process used in such treatment” which followed “description” to end of sentence, inserting a comma preceding such phrase. Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 89–686, § 10, added subsec. (j). 1958—Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 85–581, § 5, inserted “and each kind or variety or type of agricultural seed shown in the labeling to be present in a proportion of 5 per centum or less of the whole”. Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 85–581, § 6, required label on container to show percentage where two or more varieties of seed are present. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 85–581, § 7, substituted “For each variety of vegetable seed” for “For seeds”. Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 85–581, § 8, added subsec. (i).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

See section 1610 of this title.

§1571 Prohibitions relating to interstate commerce in certain seeds

Summary

Title 7, §1571

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Rules and Regulations

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Citations & Metadata