News section
Western Australian seed growers benefit from seed certification fee review
South Perth, Western Australia
July 23, 2004

Western Australian seed growers will have more flexibility and time to pay for seed certification following a recent review of certification fees. 

The Western Australia Seed Industry Working Group and the Department of Agriculture revised the fee structure to ensure the efficiency of the certification service to meet increased demand from growers.

The Department’s AGWEST Plant Laboratories manager Mark Holland said more seed growers were participating in certification schemes than in previous years, making the most of improved seasonal conditions.

Mr Holland said the area inspected for production under certification schemes of cereals, pulses and pasture crops increased last season from just over 6,300 hectares to over 8,000 hectares.

Certified seed of new varieties including EGA Jitarning, EGA Castle Rock and Tranby canola are expected to be available this year. 

Mr Holland said the fee collection changes had been welcomed by seed growers.

“Part of the total seed certification fee can now be collected from growers closer to the time of seed sale,” Mr Holland said.

“Approximately 30 per cent of the fees have been shifted from the time of crop inspection in November to the time of seed testing which is anywhere from November until May.”   

Mr Holland said applications for 2004 season would close on 15 August.  Any potential seed growers should contact Peter Hill on 9368 3721 for application forms and advice.

The Seed Industry Working Group, with representatives of seed and producer groups, meets regularly with the Department on issues of seed certification, quarantine, commercialisation and plant breeders rights.

The Working Group is soon to evaluate an accreditation system for seed lots which fail certification for minor reasons and will look to facilitate the development of biotechnology tests to enable accreditation of seed of mixed varieties of sub-clover.

News release

Other news from this source

9374

Back to main news page

The news release or news item on this page is copyright © 2004 by the organization where it originated.
The content of the SeedQuest website is copyright © 1992-2004 by
SeedQuest - All rights reserved
Fair Use Notice