ASA News
Legislative Committee Update

This is an “off” year for most of the state legislatures, meaning they are generally shortened sessions and have singular focus, usually budget. With that scenario, legislation affecting the seed industry in the Atlantic region has been relatively limited. We’ve seen a few of the usual liability transfer and mandatory GE labeling bills introduced, but all have been “assigned” to sub-committees - which typically means they won’t be seen again. We’ll keep our eyes and ears to the ground, though.

On a pro-active note, in December, at the New York State Seed Association Annual Meeting, the association membership passed two motions to regarding governmental initiatives being pursued by the seed industry. One, supports mandatory arbitration for seed dispute resolution, the other endorses state seed law pre-emption over local government laws. Included in each resolution was the desire to include the language provided by ASTA for the changes.

Through seed industry input, the New York Farm Bureau membership passed resolutions in December to support similar arbitration and pre-emption language. With the endorsement of each, the Farm Bureau will pursue legislation this year to make both initiatives law in New York. ASTA provided support materials to the New York Farm Bureau membership for their consideration of the resolutions. ASA/ASTA member and New York Farm Bureau director Ritchie Lent of Seedway provided critical input for both issues. Also, other agricultural organizations in the state have endorsed both initiatives, as well. Sponsors in both legislative bodies have been lined-up and the bills should be introduced shortly.

Back in November the Vermont Dept Of Agriculture invited Pat Miller, ASTA; Fred Mohr, ASTA; and Ted Redman, L.D. Oliver Seed to meet with them to review the proposed amendments to the Vermont Seed Regulation. While there were a few minor issues the proposed revised Regulations do include all the RUSSL amendments as they pertain to cool season grass labeling. Another state adopts 15 month labeling!!