Washington, DC
October 16, 2008
AMS No. 196-08
Today, USDA’s Agricultural
Marketing Service announced that the Australian government
has recognized the equivalence of AMS marketing facilitating
programs for seed, giving clearance for the United States to
engage in commerce trade with Australia more easily. The
recognition began on September 30, 2008.
“This agreement signifies the increasing ability of United
States’ seed to be shipped directly to Australian seed users,”
said David Shipman, Associate Administrator of AMS. “By
eliminating trade obstacles such as duplicate testing, United
States’ seed exports will experience increased marketing
opportunities through a simplified, more streamlined process.”
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service’s (AQIS)
recognition of AMS Accredited Seed Sampling Program and
Accredited Seed Laboratory Program allows seed companies and
laboratories that have been accredited under these programs to
sample and test seed which will now certify it for direct export
to Australia. Sampling must conform to International Seed
Testing Association (ISTA) intensity and seed lot size for
export to Australia.
AQIS has assessed the Accredited Seed Laboratory and Seed
Sampling Programs and they have determined that laboratories
that operate under these programs and guidelines are equivalent
to ISTA standards in respect to seed sampling and testing.
Accredited Seed Laboratories that are interested in testing seed
for export to Australia through this agreement should apply for
approval through AQIS. Applications should be addressed to: Joel
Freeman at joel.freeman@aqis.gov.au or by mail at Plant
Quarantine and Biological Imports Branch, Australian Quarantine
and Inspection Service, General Post Office Box 858, Canberra
ACT 2601 Australia.
More information on the AMS Process Verified Program for Seed
Sampling and Testing is available online at
http://www.ams.usda.gov/seed or by phone through Perry Bohn,
U.S. OECD Seed Marketing Specialist, International, AMS Seed
Regulatory and Testing Branch, (704)810-7262; or by letter to
AMS Seed Regulatory and Testing Branch, 801 Summit Crossing
Place, Suite C, Gastonia, NC 28054-2193. |
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