Release No.: 084-14

Contact:

Nadine Wilkins (202) 720-8998

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced that Buchheit Inc., Perryville, Mo., has paid $550 to settle alleged violations of the Federal Seed Act.

This settlement resolves one case that involved one shipment of tall fescue seed from Missouri to Tennessee. At least 40 containers of the seed were subsequently shipped into Kentucky where they were sampled by a representative of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Division of Regulatory Services. The alleged violation was as follows:

-false labeling as to the presence of noxious-weed seeds.

The company settled the case in agreement with AMS officials. The company neither admitted nor denied the charge brought against them.

The Federal Seed Act regulates the interstate shipment of agricultural and vegetable seeds to ensure that seed shipped in interstate commerce is truthfully labeled, and that advertisements about the seed are truthful. This allows seed buyers to make informed choices and promotes fair competition within the seed trade. AMS administers the Federal Seed Act by leveraging its resources with State departments of agriculture. These investigations were a result of joint efforts with seed regulatory officials in Kentucky. By working collaboratively with State partners, the Federal Seed Act also helps promote uniformity among State laws and fair competition within the seed trade.