Acronyms (colloquial) FSA Public law 76-354 | Effective February 4, 1940 | |
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Long title An Act to regulate interstate and foreign commerce in seeds; to require labeling and to prevent misrepresentation of seeds in interstate commerce; to require certain standards with respect to certain imported seeds; and for other purposes. Nicknames Federal Seed Act of 1939 Enacted by | ||
The Federal Seed Act, P.L. 76-354 (August 9, 1939), requires accurate labeling and purity standards for seeds in commerce, and prohibits the importation and movement of adulterated or misbranded seeds. The law works in conjunction with the Plant Protection Act of 2000 to authorize the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to regulate the importation of field crop, pasture and forage, or vegetable seed that may contain noxious weed seeds. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is responsible for enforcing the labeling and purity standard provisions.
Contents
Titles of the Act
Title 7 Chapter 37 was authored as four titles establishing agricultural policy for the specifications of forage and vegetable seeds.
Title I - Definitions - 7 U.S.C. §§ 1561-1562Construction with respect to labeling for variety and originAgricultural seedsVegetable seedsWeed seedsNoxious weed seedsOrigin, kind, variety, and type of seedsGerminationHard seedsPure live seedLabel and labeling of seedsAdvertisementSubject to prescribed tolerancesFalse labeling and false advertisementScreeningsIn bulkTitle II - Interstate Commerce - 7 U.S.C. §§ 1571-1575Prohibitions Relating to Interstate Commerce in Certain SeedsRecordsExemptionsDisclaimers and NonwarrantiesFalse AdvertisingTitle III - Foreign Commerce - 7 U.S.C. §§ 1581-1586Prohibitions and Procedures Relating to ImportationsAdulterated SeedSeed Unfit for Seeding PurposesCertain Seeds Required to be StainedCertain Acts ProhibitedTitle IV - General Provisions - 7 U.S.C. §§ 1591-1610Delegation of DutiesRules and RegulationsStandards, Tests, and TolerancesProhibition Against AlterationsSeizurePenaltiesCease and Desist ProceedingsSeparability of ProceedingsPublicationAuthorization for AppropriationsAuthorization for ExpendituresCooperationSeparability of ProvisionsRepealsEffective DateAmendments to 1939 Act
U.S. Congressional amendments to the Federal Seed Act.