The following responses are provided by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection in regard to general questions about the Wisconsin 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? If yes, briefly describe your system and fees.
Answer = YES, based on gross annual sales in Wisconsin:
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
- How does your state handle seed coatings on your seed label?
Answer = Seed coatings can be listed as part of inert matter as long as it is broken out somewhere on the label.
VARIETY LABELING:
- Does your state seed law require "mandatory" variety labeling for agricultural crop kinds?
Answer = YES
- Does your law allow for "variety not stated" labeling?
Answer = YES
- Does your law allow for "variety unknown" labeling?
Answer =YES
- Do you allow the use of the abbreviated term "VNS" to be used in place of the phrase "variety not stated"?
Answer = YES
- Does your state seed law allow labeling by "crop kind" only?
Answer = N/A
- Does your state allow abbreviations on the seed label?
Answer = YES
TEST DATE:
- What are the germination test date requirements for Agricultural and Vegetable seeds?
Answer = 12 months, exclusive of month tested
- What are the germination test date requirements for Lawn & Turf seeds?
Answer = 15 months, exclusive of month tested
SELL BY/PACKED FOR:
- Does your state law include requirements for "Sell By"/"Packed For" labeling vegetables, flowers and turf grass? If yes, please briefly explain.
Answer = Not so much a requirement as an option for dates. "Sell by [seed labeler inserts date]." The stated date may be no more than 12 months after the end of the month in which a germination analysis was completed on the source lot identified.
OTHER SEED KINDS REGULATED:
- Does your state regulate flower seeds?
Answer = YES
- Does your state regulate Native/Conservation/reclamation species?
Answer = YES
OTHER SEED KINDS REGULATED:
Answer = Promulgation through administrative rules.
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 = Only if we have a complaint.
UNIQUE (MISCELLANEOUS) REQUIREMENTS:
- Does your state seed law have any "unique" or special requirements and/or prohibitions?
Answer = NO