The following responses are provided by the Iowa Department of Agriculture in regard to general questions about the Iowa State Seed Law.
RELATIONSHIP TO RUSSL:
- Does your state seed law model RUSSL?
Answer = N/A
PERMIT/LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
- Does your state law have a permit/license requirement for seedsmen to distribute seeds in your state?
Answer = YES, the company whose name is on the label is required to have a seed permit. $30 to $1500. Depends on dollar sales in Iowa.
ARBITRATION:
- Does your state offer "Seed Arbitration" as a part of your seed law, or as a separate law?
Answer = NO
PRE-EMPTION LEGISLATION:
- Does your state have “pre-emption” legislation to restrict local political subdivisions from regulating seed?
Answer = YES
BRAND LABELING:
- Does your law allow for "brand name" labeling?
Answer = YES
VARIETY LABELING:
- Does your state allow for “Variety Not Stated” labeling?
Answer = YES
- Does your law allow for "variety unknown" labeling?
Answer = Contact Department personnel for clarification.
- If the variety name is not declared on the label, does your law allow labeling by "crop kind" only?
Answer = NO
- Do you allow the use of the abbreviated term "VNS" to be used in place of the phrase "variety not stated"?
Answer = NO
TEST DATE:
- What is the "TEST DATE" requirement for agricultural and vegetable seeds in your state?
Answer = 9 months, exclusive of the month tested
GMO REGULATIONS:
- Does your state law have any specific language regulating "GMOs"?
Answer = NO
- Does your state test for specific GMO varietal traits on official samples?
Answer = YES, Starlink in Corn
UNIQUE (MISCELLANEOUS) REQUIREMENTS:
- Does your state seed law have any "unique" or special requirements and/or prohibitions?
Answer = YES, requires that the labeler files a bond with the department if they require their growers to purchase seed and promise to buy the crop back at a premium cost.