WASHINGTON, April 22, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced that Caudill Seed Company Inc., Louisville, Ky., has paid $525 to settle alleged violations of the Federal Seed Act.
This settlement resolves one case that involved one shipment of a rye seed mixture to Indiana. The alleged violations were as follows:
- false labeling as to germination percentage; and-failure to declare as a mixture when two or more kinds or varieties are each present in excess of 5 percent.
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. AMS administers the Federal Seed Act by leveraging its resources with State departments of agriculture. These investigations were a result of joint efforts with seed regulatory officials in Indiana. By working collaboratively with State partners, the Federal Seed Act also helps promote uniformity among State laws and fair competition within the seed trade.
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