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  • Robin Pruisner, State Entomologist
    Iowa Department of Ag and Land Stewardship
    2230 South Ankeny Blvd.
    Ankeny, IA 50023
    T: 515-725-1465
    F: 515-715-1471
    E: robin.pruisner@iowaagriculture.gov

  • Jim Rouse, Executive Director
    Iowa Crop Improvement Association
    4611 Mortensen Road, Suite 101
    Ames, IA 50014-6228
    T: 515-294-6921
    F: 515-294-1897

  • Bill Northey, Secretary of Agriculture
    Iowa Dept. of Ag. and Land Stewardship
    502 E 9th Street
    Des Moines, IA 50319
    T: 515-281-5322


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

RELATIONSHIP TO RUSSL:
- Does your state seed law model RUSSL?
Answer = N/A

PERMIT/LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
- Does your state law have a permit/license requirement for seedsmen to distribute seeds in your state?
Answer = YES, the company whose name is on the label is required to have a seed permit. $30 to $1500. Depends on dollar sales in Iowa.

ARBITRATION:
- Does your state offer "Seed Arbitration" as a part of your seed law, or as a separate law?
Answer = NO

PRE-EMPTION LEGISLATION:
- Does your state have “pre-emption” legislation to restrict local political subdivisions from regulating seed?
Answer = YES

BRAND LABELING:
- Does your law allow for "brand name" labeling?
Answer = YES

VARIETY LABELING:
- Does your state allow for “Variety Not Stated” labeling?
Answer = YES

- Does your law allow for "variety unknown" labeling?
Answer = Contact Department personnel for clarification.

- If the variety name is not declared on the label, does your law allow labeling by "crop kind" only?
Answer = NO

- Do you allow the use of the abbreviated term "VNS" to be used in place of the phrase "variety not stated"?
Answer = NO

TEST DATE:
- What is the "TEST DATE" requirement for agricultural and vegetable seeds in your state?
Answer = 9 months, exclusive of the month tested

GMO REGULATIONS:
- Does your state law have any specific language regulating "GMOs"?
Answer = NO

- Does your state test for specific GMO varietal traits on official samples?
Answer = YES, Starlink in Corn

UNIQUE (MISCELLANEOUS) REQUIREMENTS:
- Does your state seed law have any "unique" or special requirements and/or prohibitions?
Answer = YES, requires that the labeler files a bond with the department if they require their growers to purchase seed and promise to buy the crop back at a premium cost.