Section R3-4-405. Seed-certifying Agencies

A.      Any agency seeking to obtain designation as a seed-certifying agency in Arizona shall meet the following requirements.

1.        The agency shall be qualified by USDA to certify agricul- tural or vegetable planting seed as to variety, strain, and genetic purity.

2.        The agency shall have a written seed certification proto- col which includes standards, rules, and procedures for the certification of planting seed.

3.        The agency shall have procedures for accepting crops and varieties into a certification program.

4.        The agency shall be a member in good standing of a USDA-recognized association of official seed-certifying agencies such as the Association of Official Seed Certify- ing Agencies.

B.       The Director or the Director’s designee shall meet each calen- dar year with the director of the seed-certifying agency to review the agency’s standards, rules, and procedures.

C.      The Director may, after consulting with the Director of the Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station, revoke the agency’s designation as the state seed-certifying agency after written 30 days’ notice if the organization:

1.        Fails to maintain qualifications, protocols, procedures, and membership as set forth in subsection (A); or

2.        Fails to follow federal and state standards, rules, and pro- cedures.

Historical Note

Adopted effective December 21, 1981 (Supp. 81-6). For- mer Section R3-4-114 renumbered without change as Section R3-4-405 (Supp. 89-1). Section R3-4-405 renum- bered from R3-1-405 (Supp. 91-4). Section R3-4-405 renumbered to R3-4-403, new Section R3-4-405 renum- bered from R3-4-407 and amended effective July 10, 1995 (Supp. 95-3).