The Independent Professional Seedsmen Association (IPSA) presented its position regarding variety labeling as part of a panel discussion before the Association of American Seed Control Officials (AASCO) at their 20^th Annual Meeting last week.

IPSA Chief Executive Officer, Greg Ruehle, participated in a panel of speakers that included representatives of Monsanto, Syngenta, Pioneer and USDA’s AMS.  Ruehle’s power point presentation offered an overview of the role of IPSA, reviewed federal seed laws and regulations, and concluded with an outline of IPSA’s perspectives on the important issues of seed labeling.  Ruehle outlined four primary areas that IPSA would seek to provide leadership on behalf of its members and the industry:

• Maintain current seed laws and regulatory framework in place.

  • Existing federal statute and regulations provide sound basis for seedsmen

• Provide education to IPSA member-companies to help assure compliance with existing laws and regulations.

  • IPSA webinar on labeling, October 2006

  • IPSA Annual Conference and E-Newsletter provide more opportunities.

• Work with seed regulatory agencies and Departments of Agriculture to increase uniformity of labeling regulations from state to state.

  • Helps enhance interstate seed businesses.

• Work with the public and the press to assure that accurate information is available to all sectors of agriculture, from seed companies to their farmer-customers.

  • Further distribution of IPSA policy statement, work with press and others

IPSA included findings from a study by Terry Foley with Holden’s Foundation Seeds which suggests more than variety affects seed yield and performance.  The study concludes:

• Seed quality may be a hidden factor in hybrid performance.

• Seed production environment is important, but is not the whole story.

• Each agronomic trait was affected by seed source (quality) to some extent.

• The results do not rule out the possibility that a significant seed parent X producer interaction exists.

The studies author, in order to put emphasis on the study’s findings, makes the following conclusion:  “All hybrids are created equal – some are just more equal than others.”

“The issue of seed labeling, and access to opportunities afforded by plant variety protected and variety not stated labeling options, remains a top priority for IPSA,” offered Ruehle.  “The Association will maintain a leadership role in this area on behalf of independent seed company members across the U.S.”

The Independent Professional Seedsmen Association (IPSA) was formed in 1989 by a group of independent seed producers who recognized the need for an organization to represent independent seed companies world-wide.  The Association addresses research and biotechnology issues and increases the media presence of the industry in an increasingly competitive and dynamic business climate.  IPSA represents approximately 150 seed companies from more than 25 states and Canada, who produce approximately 30 percent of the corn, soybeans, small grain and forage seeds marketed annually.