REGULATIONS
Vol. 25 Iss. 11 - February 02, 2009

TITLE 2. AGRICULTURE
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMERSERVICES
Chapter 390
Final Regulation

Title of Regulation: 2VAC5-390. Rules and Regulations for the Enforcement of the Virginia Seed Law (amending 2VAC5-390-20, 2VAC5-390-30, 2VAC5-390-40, 2VAC5-390-60, 2VAC5-390-70, 2VAC5-390-80, 2VAC5-390-100, 2VAC5-390-110, 2VAC5-390-120, 2VAC5-390-160, 2VAC5-390-170, 2VAC5-390-180).

Statutory Authority: § 3.2-4001 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: March 4, 2009.

Agency Contact: Robert E. Bailey, Program Manager, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 786-1274, FAX (804) 786-1571, TTY (800) 828-1120, or email robert.bailey@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments update citations to reflect the recodification of Title 3.1 to Title 3.2 of the Code of Virginia, which became effective October 1, 2008.

2VAC5-390-20. Noxious weed seeds.

Noxious weed seeds as defined in the Virginia Seed Law, Article 13.1-262 3.2-4000 et seq.) of Chapter 16 of Title 3.1 3.2 of the Code of Virginia are divided into two classes:

A. Prohibited noxious weed seeds are:

Balloonvine - Cardiospermum halicacabum

Canada thistle - Cirsium arvens

Field Bindweed - Convolvulus arvensis

Johnsongrass, Sorgrass and, Sorghum almum, and hybrids derived therefrom - Sorghum spp. - Perennial

Plumeless thistles, which includes Musk thistle, and Curled thistle - Carduus spp.

Quackgrass - Agropyron repens

Serrated tussock - Nassella trichotoma

Sicklepod - Cassia tora

B. Restricted noxious weed seeds are:

1. Restricted noxious weed seeds for agricultural and vegetable seed, except for lawn and turf seed and mixtures thereof, shall be prohibited from sale for seeding purposes if the number per ounce or per pound of such noxious weed seed found exceeds the limitations allowed for each. Such weed seeds and limitations shall be:

KIND

LIMITATION

Wild onion bulblets and wild garlic bulblets - Allium spp.

5 per ounce or 80 per pound for orchardgrass; 2 per ounce or 32 per pound for other kinds

Dodder - Cuscuta spp.

4 per ounce or 64 per pound

Wild mustard - Brassica spp. - includes species when incidentally occurring in agricultural seed, provided that species listed in §§ 5 and 9 of the regulations 2VAC5-390-50 and 2VAC5-390-90 may be sold as such when labeled as required.

5 per ounce all or 80 per pound

Giant foxtail - Setaria faberi

4 per ounce or 64 per pound

Radish - Raphanus spp.

1 per ounce or 16 per pound

2. Restricted noxious weed seeds for lawn and turf seed and mixtures thereof. Those kinds listed below shall be restricted noxious weed seeds and shall be declared on the label under the heading "Noxious weed seeds" or "Undesirable grass seed" according to § 3.1-264 (I) (5) 3.2-4008 J 5 when present in bentgrasses, Kentrucky bluegrass, chewings fescue, red fescue, hard fescue, varieties of perennial ryegrass, varieties of named turf type tall fescue, and/or mixtures containing these grasses. Such weed seeds are:

Annual bluegrass

Poa annua

**Bentgrasses (creeping, colonial, velvet)

Agrostis spp.

**Bermudagrass, Giant bermudagrass

Cynodon spp.

**Meadow fescue

Festuca pratensis

Orchardgrass

Dactylis glomerata

**Redtop

Agrostis gigantea

**Rough bluegrass

Poa trivialis

**Tall fescue

Festuca arundinacea

Timothy

Phleum pratense

Velvetgrass

Holcus lanatus

**May be included as a labeled component of a mixture when in excess of 5.0% of the whole.

NOTE - EXEMPTIONS - This chapter does not apply to restricted noxious weed seeds in grasses or mixtures clearly labeled for pasture, forage, hay, or spoilbank reclamation usage.

2VAC5-390-30. Net weight requirements.

A. Net weight is required on all containers except on packets containing less than ½ ounce avoirdupois.

B. All net weight labeling shall be consistent with the requirements of the Virginia Weights and Measures Law, Chapter 35 563.1-919 3.2-5600 et seq.) of Title 3.1 3.2 of the Code of Virginia and the Virginia Weights and Measures regulations except that when a seed tag is used the net weight information may appear on the seed tag rather than on the seed bag.

2VAC5-390-40. Labeling treated seed.

A. Contents of label. All seed "treated" as defined by § 3.1-263 3.2-4000 of the Code of Virginia, shall be labeled in type no smaller than eight points to indicate that such seed has been treated and to show the name of any substance or a description of any process (other than application of a substance) used to treat such seed, for example:

Treated with -(Name of substance or process)

or -(Name of substance or process) treated.

If the substance used in such treatment in the amount remaining with the seed is harmful to humans or other vertebrate animals, the seed shall also bear a label containing statements as specified by subsections C and D below. The label shall contain the required information in any form that is clearly legible and complies with this chapter. The information may be on the analysis tag, on a separate tag, or printed on the container in a conspicuous manner.

B. Name of substance. The name of any substance as required by subsection A of this section shall be commonly accepted coined, chemical (generic), or abbreviated chemical name. Commonly accepted coined names are not private trademarks and are free for use by the public and are commonly recognized as names of particular substances such as thiram, captan, lindane, and dichlone. Examples of commonly accepted chemical (generic) names are: bluestone, calcium carbonate, cuprous oxide, zinc hydroxide, hexachlorobenzene and ethyl mercury acetate. The terms "mercury" or "mercurial" may be used to represent all types of mercurial compounds. Examples of commonly accepted abbreviated chemical names are: BHC (1,2,3,4,5,6, Hexachloroclolexane) and DDT (dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane)

C. Mercurials and similarly toxic substance.

1. Seeds treated with a mercurial or similarly toxic substance, if any amount whatsoever remains with the seed, shall be labeled to show a representation of a skull and crossbones at least twice the size of the type used for information required to be on the label under subsection A and shall also include in red letters on a background of distinctly contrasting color a statement substantially as follows: "Treated with Poison," "Poison treated," or "Poison." Such treatment shall appear in type no smaller than eight points.

2. Substances similarly toxic to mercurials include the following: Aldrin (technical); demeton; dieldrin; endrin; heptachlor; O, O-diethyl S-(ethylthiomethyl) phosphorodithiolate; and O, O-diethyl S-2 (ethylthio) ethyl phosphorodithiolate. Any amount of such substances remaining with the seed shall be considered harmful to humans and other vertebrate animals.

D. Other harmful substances. If any substance, other than one which would be classified as a mercurial or similarly toxic substance under subsection C., is used in the treatment of seed; the amount remaining with the seed is considered harmful to humans or other vertebrate animals unless the seed is in containers of four ounces or less. Seed treated with such substances shall be labeled with an appropriate caution statement in type no smaller than eight points worded substantially as follows: "Do not use for food," "Do not use for feed," "Do not use for oil purposes," or "Do not use for food, feed, or oil purposes." This subsection applies to all chemical substances not within subsection C. except that the following substances shall not be deemed harmful when present at a rate less than the number of parts per million indicated:

Allethrin - 2 p.p.m.

Malathion - 8 p.p.m.

Methoxyclor - 8 p.p.m.

Piperonyl butoxide - 20 p.p.m. except 8 p.p.m. on Oat and Sorghum.

Pyrethrins -- 3 p.p.m. except 1 p.p.m. on Oat and Sorghum.

E. Weight of treatment substance. When the weight of treatment substances added exceed 1.0% of the net weight of seed, the rate of treatment must be given on the analysis tag.

2VAC5-390-60. Weed seeds.

As provided by subdivision 1 f of § 3.1-265 I(A)(6) 3.2-4015 of the Code of Virginia, agricultural seed of the following kinds may contain weed seeds not to exceed the following limitations:

A. 1. Korean Lespedeza -- Lespedeza stipulacea 1.50%

B. 2. Orchardgrass -- Dactylis glomerata (Hulled) 1.50%

C. 3. Oatgrass, tall -- Arrhenatherum elatius 1.50%

D. 4. Redtop -- Agrostis gigantea 1.50%

2VAC5-390-70. Code designation.

As provided by § 3.1-264, subsections B paragraph (12)(b) and I(10)(b) § 3.2-4008 C 12 and J 10 of the Code of Virginia, any Virginia seed dealer may request from the commissioner a code designation to be used in lieu of his name and address for use on seed labeled for intrastate shipment provided; however, such shipments must be labeled to show the name and address of the consignee. Such designation will bear the prefix VDACS followed by an appropriate assigned number; however, a bona fide AMS (C&MS) number may be used in lieu of the VDACS code designation provided it is recorded with the commissioner by the seed dealer.

2VAC5-390-80. Controlled conditions.

Controlled conditions are those minimum field standards for certification last established by the State Certified Seed Board as authorized under Article 2, Chapter 16, 40 (§ 3.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 3.1 3.2 of the Code of Virginia.

2VAC5-390-100. Origin.

Origin as required by § 3.1-264(B)(4) 3.2-4008 C 4 of the Code of Virginia shall not apply to seed in lawn or turf grass mixtures in prepacked containers of fifty pounds or less; however, the formulator of such mixtures shall maintain origin records as required by § 3.1-266 3.2-4006 of the Code of Virginia.

2VAC5-390-110. Flower seed and minimum germination standards.

A. The kinds of flower seeds listed below are those for which standard testing procedures have been prescribed and which are, therefore, required to be labeled in accordance with the germination labeling provisions of §§ 3.1-263 3.2-4000 and 3.1-264 3.2-4008 of the Code of Virginia. The percentage listed opposite each kind is the germination standard for that kind. For the kinds marked with an asterisk, this percentage is the total of percentage germination and percentage hard seed. For other kinds, it is the percentage germination.

Kind

Minimum Germination Standard

African daisy--Dimorphotheca sinuata

55

Ageratum--Ageratum houstonianum

60

Alyssum--Alyssum compactum, A.Lobularia maritima, A.saxatile

60

Anemone--Anemone pulsatilla

55

Angel's trumpet--Brugmansia arborea

60

Arabis--Arabis alpina

60

Aster, China--Callistephus chinensis except Pompon, Powderpuff, and Princess types

55

Aster, China--Callistephus chinensis, Pompon, Powderpuff and Princess types

50

Aubrieta--Aubrieta deltoidea

45

Balsam--Impatiens balsamina

70

Calendula--Calendula officinalis

65

California poppy--Eschscholzia californica

60

Calliopsis--Corepsis tinctoria C. basalis

65

Campanula:

Canterbury bells--Campanula medium

60

Cup and Saucer bellflower--Campanula medium calycanthema

60

Carpathian bellflower--Campanula carpatica

50

Peach bellflower--Campanula persicifolia

50

Candytuft, annual--Iberis amara, I. umbellata

65

Candytuft, perennial--Iberis gibraltarica, I.sempervirens

55

*Castor bean--Ricinus communis

60

Cathedral bells--Cobaea scandens

65

Celosia--Celosia argentea

65

Centaurea: basket flower--entaurea americana, Cornflower--C. cyanus, dusty miller--C.cineraria royal centaurea--C. imperialis, sweet sultan, Amberboa moschata, Velvet centaurea--C. gymnocarpa

60

Chinese forget-me-not--Cynoglossum amabile

55

Chrysanthemum, annual--Chrysanthemum carinatum, C., coronarium, C.segetum

40

Clarkia--Clarkia unguiculata

65

Cleome--Cleome hassleriana

65

Columbine--Aquilegia spp.

50

Coral bells--Heuchera sanguinea

55

Coreopsis, perennial--Coreopsis lanceolata

40

Cosmos: Sensation, Mammoth and Crested type--Cosmos bipinnatus; Klondyke type--C. sulphureus

65

Dahlia--Dahlia spp

55

Delphinium: cardinal larkspur--perennial delphinuim--Delphinium cardinale; Pacific giant, gold metal and other hybrids, belladonna, bellamosum types, Chinensis types D.elatum

55

Dianthus:

Carnation--Dianthus caryophyllus

60

China pinks--Dianthus Chinensis, Heddewigii, Heddensis

70

Grass pinks--Dianthus plumarius

60

Maiden pinks--Dianthus deltoide

60

Sweet William--Dianthus barbatu

70

Sweet Wivelsfield--Dianthus X allwoodii

60

Dracena--Cordyline australis

55

English daisy--Bellis perennis

55

Foxglove--Digitalis spp.

60

Gaillardia, annual--Gaillardia pulchella, var.picta; perennial--G..aristata

45

Geum--Geum spp.

55

Gilia--Gilia spp.

65

Godetia--Clarkia amoena var. concinne

65

Gourds--Cucurbita spp.; Lagenaria spp.

70

Gypsophila: annual baby's breath--Gypsophila elegans; perennial baby's breath--G. paniculata, G. pacifica, G. repens

70

Helichrysum--Helichrysum bracteatum

60

*Hollyhock--Alcea rosea

65

*Ipomopa: Cypress vine--Ipomea quamoclit; Moonflower--I. alba; morning glories, cardinal climber, hearts and honey vine--I. spp.

75

Job's tears--Coix lacryma-jobi

70

Kochia--Kochia scoparia trichophylla

55

Larkspur, annual--Consolida ambigua

60

Lantana--Lantana camara

35

Linaria--Linaria spp.

65

Lobelia, annual--Lobelia erinus

65

Lunaria, annual--Lunaria annua

65

*Lupine--Lupinus spp.

65

Marigold--Tagetes spp.

65

Marvel of Peru--Mirabilis jalapa

60

Mighonette--Reseda odorata

55

Myosotis--Myosotis alpestris, M. oblongata, M. pulastris, M. scorpioides

50

Nasturtium--Tropaeolum spp.

60

Nemesia--Nemesia spp.

65

Nemophila--Nemophila menziesil subsp. insignis

70

Nicotiana--Nicotiana alata, N. X sanderae

65

Nierembergia--Nierembergia spp.

55

Nigella--Nigella damascena

55

Pansy--Viola tricolor

60

Penstemon--Penstemon barbatus, P. grandiflorus, P. laevigatus, P.hirsutus

60

Petunia--Petunia spp.

45

Phacelia--Phacelia campanularia, P. minor, P. tanace tifolia

65

Phlox, annual--Phlox drummondii all types and varieties

55

Physalis--Physalis spp.

60

Poppy: shirley poppy--Papaver rhoeas; Iceland poppy--P. nudicaule; oriental poppy--P. orientale; tulip poppy--P. glaucum

60

Portulaca--Portulaca grandiflora

55

Salpiglossis--Salpiglossis sinuata gloxiniiflora, S. salpiglossis

60

Salvia--Scarlet Sage--Salvia splendens; mealycup sage (blue bedder)--S. farinacea

50

Saponaria--Saponaria ocymoides, S. vaccaria pyramidata

60

Scabiosa, annual--Scabiosa atropurpurea

50

Scabiosa, perennial--Scabiosa caucasica

40

Schizanthus--Schizanthus spp.

60

Shasta Daisy--Chrysanthemum maximum, C. leucanthemum

65

Snapdragon--Antirrhinum spp.

55

Solanum--Solanum spp.

60

Stocks:Common--Matthiola incana; Evening Scented--Matthiola longipetala subsp. bicornis

65

Sunflower--Helianthus spp.

65

*Sweet pea, annual and perennial other than dwarf bush--Lathyrus odoratus, L. latifolius

75

*Sweet pea, dwarf bush--Lathyrus odoratus

65

Thunbergia--Thunbergia alata

60

Torch flower--Tithonia rotundifolia

70

Tritoma--Kniphofia spp.

65

Verbena, annual--Verbena X hybrida

35

Vinca--Catharanthus roseus

60

Viola--Viola cornuta

55

Wallflower--Cheiranthus cheiri

65

Zinnia--Zinnia angustifolia, Z. elegans, Z.grandiflora, Z. acerosa, Z. peruviana

50

B. Testing tolerances shall not be applied unless the percentage of germination is shown on the seed package or label attached to the seed container. If no germination percentage is shown on the label, the seed must meet the minimum standards without benefit of tolerance.

2VAC5-390-120. Labeling of flower seed.

Flower seeds shall be labeled with the name of the kind and variety or a statement of type and performance characteristics as prescribed by § 3.1-264(F) and (G) 3.2-4008 G and H of the Code of Virginia.

A. For seeds of plants grown primarily for their blooms:

1. Seeds of a single name variety shall be labeled to show the kind and variety name. For example -- "Marigold, Butterball."

2. Seeds of a single type and color for which there is no special variety name shall be labeled to show either the type of plant or the type and color of bloom. For example -- "Scabiosa, Tall, Large Flowered, Double, Pink."

3. Seeds consisting of an assortment or mixture of colors or varieties of a single kind, the kind name, the type of plant, and the type or types of bloom shall be indicated. In addition, it shall be clearly indicated that the seed is mixed or assorted. An example of labeling such a mixture or assortment is -- "Marigold, Dwarf double French, Mixed colors."

4. Seeds consisting of an assortment or mixture of kinds, shall clearly indicate that the seed is assorted or mixed and the specific use of the assortment or mixture shall be indicated. For example -- "Cut flower mixture," or "Rock garden mixture." Such statements as "Wild flower mixture," "General purpose mixture," "Wonder mixture," or any other statement which fails to indicate the specific use of the seed shall not meet the requirements of this provision unless the specific use of the mixture is also stated.

B. Seeds of plants grown for ornamental purposes other than their blooms shall be labeled to show the kind and variety, or the kind together with a descriptive statement concerning the ornamental part of the plant. For example -- "Ornamental gourds, Small fruited, Mixed."

2VAC5-390-160. Maximum percentage of inert matter.

Seed or seed mixtures as defined by § 3.1-263 3.2-4000 of the Code of Virginia shall not contain more than 15% by weight of inert matter, excluding coating material which has been added to enhance the planting value.

2VAC5-390-170. Minimum size of peanut seed.

Shelled peanuts for agricultural seed as defined in § 3.1-263 3.2-4000 of the Code of Virginia shall be a size of which 97% by weight of whole seed shall pass over a 16/64 inch screen and none shall pass through a 14/64 inch screen.

2VAC5-390-180. Minimum germination standard for peanut seed.

Peanuts for agricultural seed as defined in § 3.1-263 3.2-4000 of the Code of Virginia shall have a 75% minimum total germination. However, effective March 1, 2008, and continuing until July 1, 2008, the minimum total germination shall be 70%.

VA.R. Doc. No. R09-1710; Filed January 13, 2009, 11:25 a.m.