AMS No. 269-07

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

Jimmie Turner (202) 720-6179

jimmie.turner@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26, 2007 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Dec. 19, 2007, with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that allows training and testing of U.S. Seed Graders for accreditation by CFIA upon the recommendation of AMS.

Accreditation by CFIA will allow graders in the United States to assign a Canadian seed grade to U.S. seed that is shipped for sale in Canada. “The signing of the agreement signifies the increasing ability of U.S. seed to be shipped directly to Canadian seed users,” said Dr. Kenneth Clayton, Associate Administrator of AMS. “It eliminates trade obstacles like duplicate testing and simplifies market access, thereby facilitating U.S. seed exports.”

To acquire the recognition of AMS, individuals must work in an Accredited Seed Laboratory or its equivalent, be a Registered Seed Technologist or Certified Seed Analyst in purity and germination, and pass the U.S. Seed Grader examination.

More information on the U.S. Seed Grader Program is available on-line at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/seed/Seedgrader.htm; by phone through Perry Bohn, Seed Grading Program Manager, AMS Seed Regulatory and Testing Branch, tel. 704-810-7262; or by letter to AMS Seed Regulatory and Testing Branch, 801 Summit Crossing Place, Suite C, Gastonia, NC 28054-2193.