The following responses are provided by the California Department of Food and Agriculture in regard to general questions about the California State Seed Law.

VARIETY LABELING
Does your law allow for "variety not stated" labeling?
Answer = YES,  for agricultural seed,  No for Vegetable Seed. (Variety is required on Veg Seed)

Does your law allow for "variety unknown" labeling?
Answer = YES

Do you allow the use of the abbreviated term "VNS" to be used in place of the phrase "variety not stated"?
Answer = YES

Does your state seed law allow labeling by "crop kind" only?
Answer = YES

ARBITRATION
Does your state offer "Seed Arbitration" as a part of your seed law, or as a separate law?
Answer = NO - California is currently working on arbitration language. It is expected that the proposed language will be presented to the CA Secretary of Ag for approval in 2007. California does have conciliation and mediation in place and has successfully administered conciliation and mediation during the alternative dispute resolution process for seed complaints.

PRE-EMPTION LEGISLATION
Does your state have "pre-emption" legislation to restrict local political subdivisions from regulating seed?
Answer = NO

BRAND LABELING
Does your law allow for "brand name" labeling?
Answer = Not addressed in the law, but if misleading it would then be subject to the law

PERMIT / LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Does your state law have a permit /license requirement for seedsmen to distribute seeds in your state?
Answer = YES, annual authorization is required for those that label and sell in California, and those that sell seed (dealer or retail) not produced in CA. Fees are currently $0.28 per $100

TEST DATE
What is the "TEST DATE" requirement for agricultural and vegetable seeds in your state?
Answer = 9 months wholesale, 15 months at retail or by a dealer

GMO REGULATIONS
Does your state law have any specific language regulating "GMO’s"?
Answer = NO

Does your state test for specific GMO varietal traits on official samples?
Answer =NO

RELATIONSHIP TO RUSSL
Does your state seed law model RUSSL?   
Answer = YES, as much as possible

UNIQUE (MISCELLANEOUS) REQUIREMENTS
Does your state seed law have any "unique" or special requirements and/or prohibitions?
Answer = YES, Viability Assurance Statement (SELL BY or USE BEFORE) for retail ag and vegetable seeds. Vegetable seed under 0.5 lbs is required to have a season (Packed for the "year" season).