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Certification programs
Seed certification programs have been in existence for
over 100 years. They have effectively defined and
monitored standards to guarantee specific purity
standards of the final product or seed. The standards
developed reflect the genetic purity and quality of the
final product (including seed) based on the final market
requirements.
Seed classes: breeder, foundation, registered,
certified, commercial, variety undeclared
U.S.
National Organic Program (NOP)
The National Organic Program (NOP) in the United States
(USDA, 2005) and several other countries define
production practices that must be adhered to in order to
market products and seeds bearing an “Organic” label.
These programs are processed-based rather than being
based on the final quality of the product. For example,
although only certain approved compounds with pesticidal
or fertilizer properties may used in producing organic
seed or products, minimum thresholds are established for
the inadvertent presence of non-approved compounds. To
produce organic products in the US, growers must first
begin with organically produced seed. If it is not
available, they can use seed that has not been treated
with unapproved (usually synthetic) compounds. Although
organic programs have chosen to exclude genetically
engineered (GE) varieties from the program, there are no
established thresholds for the presence of GE materials
in organic products. In fact, as long as growers follow
an NOP-approved production plan, the USDA has assured
that they will not lose organic certification if GE
materials are inadvertently found in their seed or
products.
SOURCES
ARTICLES
The California
Crop Improvement Association (CCIA)
By
Diane Nelson, Writer, University of California,
Davis, Department of Plant Sciences
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