b'SGS provides a comprehensive range of seed germination testing services for demonstrating regulatory compliance.technology) for future use. Spending a small amount of moneyShould Seed Regulation Change?upfront can be a huge advantage to the company as well as theDifferent jurisdictions require by law different seed testing. industry, says Patin.To meet the grade requirements set out by the Canada Federal Seeds Act, all seed sold in Canada must be tested for Is the Answer Private Labs? physical purity, germination on all crop types, and true loose A change Gillespie has noted over the last few years in thesmut on barley.United States is that more private production and seed firms areI agree with the [Canadian] system as it is now as it looking to run their own lab capacity. In the Pacific Northwest,protects both the seller and the buyer, says Foster. However, some growers and/or producers have added labs, or plan to addI would like to see more tests accredited orat the very least in-house testing capacity to their facilities in order to control protected by standard protocols and procedures that are testing independently.monitored by proficiency programs.She says some have sought accreditation through theIn the United States, seed testing varies depending on what National Seed Health System (NSHS) for phytosanitary visualtype of seed it is, the number of seed in unit, where the seed inspection to reduce delays in getting phytosanitary certificatesoriginated from, and where it will be sold.for shipments going overseas.Tests required by law are driven at the federal level by the If they have the space, it may be more advantageous toFederal Seed Act and at the local level (i.e., state), explains have a company lab to turn to for answers about testing and toPatin. Agricultural seed is required to have a germination, incorporate the overall cost of the lab in with the companyspurity, and noxious exam. Each state can have additional laws general operating costs to reduce the time delays that comeand requirements. The laws are in place to protect consumers, with sending seed out for testing. buyers, and sellers. The issue with this option, however, is a shortage of accred- Gillespie adds that many states have patterned their seed ited seed analysts. The seasonal nature of the work can make itlaws after RUSSL (Recommended Uniform State Seed Law) difficult to retain staff in labs. This reduces the overall numberimplemented by the Association of American Seed Control of analysts available to achieve the independent certificationOfficials (AASCO).required for a lab to be authorized to conduct testing suitableThe requirements for seed labelling are really very basic. for labelling. For vegetable seed in packets, almost no information is required Analysts with insufficient training are not able to provideother than whether or not the seed meets the standards estab-the same kind of uniform results as accredited analysts, andlished in the Federal Seed Act.it takes a bare minimum of one to two years of work in a labShe sees room for improvement. Especially for companies even for someone who has a degree in agronomy or botany,selling smaller types of vegetable seeds, or those that may be adds Gillespie. Seed testing is extremely specialized and not aeasily subject to contamination, purity information would also course commonly taught in universities.be beneficial. 30GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2024'