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  • Andria McCubbin, Nursery and Seed Program Specialist
    Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
    P.O. Box 30017
    Lansing, MI 48909
    T: 517-599-5748
    E: mccubbingreena@michigan.gov

  • Jim Palmer, Manager
    Michigan Crop Improvement Association
    P.O. Box 21008
    Lansing, MI 48909-1008
    T: 517-332-3546
    F: 517-332-9301
    E: palmerj@michcrop.com


The following responses are provided by the Michigan Department of Agriculture in regard to general questions about the Michigan State Seed Law.

RELATIONSHIP TO RUSSL:
- Does your state seed law model RUSSL?
Answer = YES

PERMIT/LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
- Does your state law have a permit/license requirement for seedsmen to distribute seeds in your state?
Answer = NO

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 = NO

BRAND LABELING:
- Does your law allow for "brand name" labeling?
Answer = YES

VARIETY LABELING:
- Does your state seed law require "mandatory" variety labeling for agricultural crop kinds?
Answer = NO

- Does your law allow for "variety not stated" labeling?
Answer = YES

- Does your law allow for "variety unknown" labeling?
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

- Does your state seed law allow labeling by "crop kind" only?
Answer = NO

TEST DATE:
- What is the "TEST DATE" requirement for agricultural and vegetable seeds in your state?
Answer = 12 months

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, Roundup trait in soybeans (rarely)

UNIQUE (MISCELLANEOUS) REQUIREMENTS:
- Does your state seed law have any "unique" or special requirements and/or prohibitions?
Answer = YES, Preempts local ordinances that would prohibit or regulate the labeling, sale, storage, transportation, distribution, use, or planting of seeds.