Contact: Jane Larson (608) 224-5005
MADISON—A public hearing scheduled for January 11 at the state agriculture department will focus on an emergency seed rule and proposed revisions to Wisconsin’s “permanent” rule that governs the sale, distribution, testing and labeling of agricultural and vegetable seeds.
In October 2010, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection held a public hearing on proposed changes to Wisconsin’s seed rule but further revisions were made to the rule proposal which necessitated another hearing.
“In 2009, the Legislature updated the statute that governs the regulation of seed and now DATCP must make changes to the department’s seed rule so the regulations are consistent,” said Greg Helmbrecht, seed program manager. “The statutory changes repealed many outdated standards and those repeals took effect on January 1, 2011. The department put an emergency rule into place until we can adopt permanent rule changes.”
Helmbrecht explained that the emergency rule is the same as the revised draft rule that the public can comment on at the Jan. 11 hearing.
“The revisions were made to improve the organization of the rule and to clarify some terms. The substance of the rule proposal remains the same but there were enough changes that we wanted to provide another opportunity for public input,” Helmbrecht said.
The proposed changes will:
* Set new seed labeling rules.
* Update standards for inspection, sampling, testing and germination of seed.
* Incorporate the fees for seed labeler licenses that were set in state statute.
* Prohibit and restrict certain noxious weed seeds.
* Establish new standards for native seeds.
The rule changes are necessary as standards for things like seed label contents, germination levels, weed seeds and the definition of those standards have changed substantially over time. The updated rule will make Wisconsin’s law consistent with practices throughout the United States and with official standards by the Association of Official Seed Analysts.
The public hearing will be on Tue., Jan. 11, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. The hearing will be held at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Room 172, first floor, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison.
Written comments on the rule will be accepted until Fri., Jan. 14. Comments can be emailed to greg.helmbrecht@wisconsin.gov or mailed to Greg’s attention at DATCP, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911.
For a copy of the rule contact Greg Helmbrecht at (608) 224-4596 or send an email.
