WASHINGTON, April 2, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced that Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc., Oxnard, Calif., has paid $350 to settle alleged violation of the Federal Seed Act.
This settlement resolves one case that involved one shipment of broccoli seed from California to Pennsylvania. A portion of the seed was then subsequently shipped into North Carolina. The alleged violation was as follows:
- false labeling as to variety name.
The company settled the case in agreement with AMS officials. The company neither admitted nor denied the charges brought against them.
The Federal Seed Act regulates the interstate shipment of agricultural and vegetable seeds to ensure that seed shipped in interstate commerce is truthfully labeled, and that advertisements about the seed are truthful. This allows seed buyers to make informed choices and promotes fair competition within the seed trade. This investigation was completed by AMS seed regulatory official in North Carolina. By working collaboratively with State partners, the Federal Seed Act also helps promote uniformity among State laws and fair competition within the seed trade.
Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).