This Chapter concerns seeds and details trade in seeds. Examples of offences: Any labelling, advertisement, or other which represents that any seed is certified seed is illegal unless (a) a seed certifying agency certifies that it conformed to standards of genetic purity and identity as to kind or variety, and is in compliance with the rules and regulations of such agency pertaining to such seed; and (b) the seed bears an official label issued for such seed by a seed certifying agency certifying that the seed is of a specified class and a specified kind or variety. It shall also be unlawful for any person to transport in interstate commerce any agricultural seeds, unless labels contain specified information. Dissemination of any false advertisement concerning seed is another offence envisioned by this Chapter. As to trade in seed, the Chapter prohibits, inter alia, the importation of any agricultural or vegetable seeds if any such seed contains noxious-weed seeds or the labelling of which is false or misleading in any respect. The Secretary of Agriculture shall periodically conduct a survey of grain varieties commercially produced in the United States. The Chapter is composed of the following subchapters: Subchapter I – Definitions; Subchapter II—Interstate Commerce setting forth prohibitions relating to interstate commerce in certain seeds, records, exemptions, disclaimers, limited warranties and non-warranties, and false advertising; Subchapter III – Foreign Commerce laying down prohibitions relating to importations, procedure relating to importations, disposal of refuse, exceptions, certain seeds not adapted for general agricultural use, and certain prohibited acts; Subchapter IV – General Provisions setting forth rules and regulations regarding delegation of duties, standards, tests, tolerances, seed variety information and survey, prohibition against alterations, seizure, penalties, agent's acts as binding principal, notice of intention to prosecute, cease and desist proceedings, appeal to court of appeals, enforcement of order, separability, procedural powers; witness fees and mileage, publication, authorisation of appropriations, authorisation of expenditures, cooperation with other governmental agencies, separability, repeals, and effective date; and Subchapter V – Sale of Uncertified Seed of Protected Variety regulating illegal sales of uncertified seed.
United States of America · 1939-08-09