News

Ag Industry Launches Campaign to Promote
Safe Use of Seed Treatments

Washington, DC – The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and CropLife America (CLA), two industry leaders in agricultural seed, products, services, and plant science solutions, announced today the release of The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship, an industry-wide initiative to promote the safe handling and management of treated seed.

Endorsed by the National Corn Growers Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the American Soybean Association, The Guide provides farmers and seed companies with critical information and up-to-date guidelines for managing treated seed effectively to further minimize the risk of exposure to non-target organisms.

“The Guide serves as an all-in-one resource that addresses every stage of a seed’s journey from treatment to planting,” said ASTA President and CEO Andrew W. LaVigne. “It’s designed to be convenient, easy-to-understand and useful to the entire seed and crop production value chain.”

“The Guide will be an invaluable resource for our members,” said Pam Johnson, president of the National Corn Growers Association. “We’re encouraging all corn growers to refer to it before, during and after the corn planting season.”

ASTA and CLA began aggregating seed treatment research and safety information from universities, seed companies, international seed associations and others in early 2012 in response to growing concern about the effect of seed treatment dust on pollinators.

“The health of pollinators, especially honey bees, is crucial to agricultural production in the U.S. and worldwide,” noted Jay Vroom, President and CEO of CropLife America. “The crop protection industry, seed growers and breeders, seed treatment companies, equipment manufactures and farmers all play a role in supporting thriving bee populations through stewardship and sound science.”

The Guide contains recommendations for such processes as:

• Planting of Treated Seed
• Safe Use of Seed Treatment Product
• Safe Handling and Transport of Seed
• Selection of Treatment Product
• Treated Seed Labeling
• Storage of Treated Seed

The Guide, which also includes a seed treatment glossary and an exhaustive list of resources, has been shared with EPA and USDA, both of whom have applauded the industry’s initiative in this effort.

Released in advance of the April 11th Corn Planting Day, The Seed Treatment Stewardship Guide is available online and in PDF format at seed-treatment-guide.com.

About ASTA

Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), located in Alexandria, Va., is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of about 750 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates science and policy issues of industry importance. Its mission is to enhance the development and movement of quality seed worldwide. www.amseed.com

About CLA

CropLife America represents the developers, manufacturers, formulators, and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States. CropLife America’s member companies produce, sell and distribute virtually all the crop protection and biotechnology products used by American farmers. www.croplifeamerica.org