The Federal Seed Act, P.L. 76-354 (August 9, 1939), requires accurate labeling and purity standards for seeds in commerce, and prohibits the importation and movement of adulterated or misbranded seeds. The law works in conjunction with the Plant Protection Act of 2000 to authorize the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to regulate the importation of field crop, pasture and forage, or vegetable seed that may contain noxious weed seeds. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is responsible for enforcing the labeling and purity standard provisions.
Titles of the Act Title 7 Chapter 37 was authored as four titles establishing agricultural policy for the specifications of forage and vegetable seeds.
Title I - Definitions - 7 U.S.C. §§ 1561-1562 Construction with respect to labeling for variety and origin Agricultural seeds Vegetable seeds Weed seeds Noxious weed seeds Origin, kind, variety, and type of seeds Germination Hard seeds Pure live seed Label and labeling of seeds Advertisement Subject to prescribed tolerances False labeling and false advertisement Screenings In bulk
Title II - Interstate Commerce - 7 U.S.C. §§ 1571-1575 Prohibitions Relating to Interstate Commerce in Certain Seeds Records Exemptions Disclaimers and Nonwarranties False Advertising
Title III - Foreign Commerce - 7 U.S.C. §§ 1581-1586 Prohibitions and Procedures Relating to Importations Adulterated Seed Seed Unfit for Seeding Purposes Certain Seeds Required to be Stained Certain Acts Prohibited
Title IV - General Provisions - 7 U.S.C. §§ 1591-1610 Delegation of Duties Rules and Regulations Standards, Tests, and Tolerances Prohibition Against Alterations Seizure Penalties Cease and Desist Proceedings Separability of Proceedings Publication Authorization for Appropriations Authorization for Expenditures Cooperation Separability of Provisions Repeals Effective Date
Amendments to 1939 Act
Date of EnactmentPublic Law No.U.S. StatuteU.S. Bill No.U.S. Presidential AdministrationJuly 9, 1956P.L. 84-662Dwight D. EisenhowerAugust 1, 1958P.L. 85-581Dwight D. EisenhowerOctober 15, 1966P.L. 89-686Lyndon B. JohnsonOctober 17, 1969P.L. 91-89Richard M. NixonJanuary 8, 1983P.L. 97-439Ronald W. Reagan
See also Plant Disease Bulletin Seed bank
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