Seed Today - Q1 2008 - (Page 75)

Turfgrass Label Sell-By Date 15-month labeling of turfgrass seed now included in RUSSL “It’s not often that an opportunity comes along to change state seed laws that benefit consumers, state seed regulators, grass seed retailers and industry, but that is exactly what a 15-month test period and SELL BY labeling for cool season grasses would do, says Kristine Mantey, senior regulatory specialist, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Marysville, OH. In 2002, the Association of Tested: Jan. 2008 American Seed SELL BY: April 30, 2009 Control Officials (AASCO) changed Sample RUSSL 15its Recommended month “SELL BY” Uniform State Seed label. Law (RUSSL) to allow for a 15-month test period on coolseason grass seed. regulatory aspect of the seed industry. Changing the test period for cool season grass seed does not diminish the quality of the product bought by the consumer or change the regulatory oversight of the state enforcement agency,” Snyder concludes. ASTA, along with the seed industry, continues to work with state and regional seed associations to bring about adoption of the 15-month test period for cool season grass seed by all 50 states. “SELL BY” Added to RUSSL AASCO also included a new requirement to change how these products are labeled. Grass seed labels would have a “SELL BY” date similar to food expiration date labeling. “Consumers understand this concept as a way of identifying products that are still ‘good.’ Using similar labeling for grass seed will not require extensive public education,” Mantey says. In many states, expired grass seed is a frequent and important violation issued by state enforcement officials. In the vast majority of instances, the grass seed is retested and the retailer is issued a sticker to be applied to the product label because the seed germination still meets the previously labeled germination levels.” “The adoption of a 15-month test period will reduce the time and effort spent by state officials on these matters and allow regulators to focus on other, more important issues,” says seed industry consultant Vince Snyder, Marysville, OH. “Uniform seed labeling is a critical For more information: Vince Snyder Jr., PhD, Regulation & Registration Resources, L.L.C. (937.644.0769/ vincesnyder@columbus.rr.com) Response No. 751 First Quarter 2008 75 http://www.percival-scientific.com http://www.percival-scientific.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Seed Today - Q1 2008

Seed Today - Q1 2008 Contents Editor’s Notes Cover Feature: Agrecol® Corporation Reed Barker, Ph.D. Cal/West Seeds Inc. Annual GM Use Report Bt Resistance Reported Camelina Tony Harper Gayle Jacklin According to ASTA Krauter Structures AOSCA AOSA/SCST GM and Greenhouse Gas Seed Associations Ad Index

Seed Today - Q1 2008

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