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US ag industry launches seed treatment campaign

March 26, 2013 – The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and CropLife America (CLA) announced 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 corn planting dates, The Seed Treatment Stewardship Guide is available online and in PDF format at www.seed-treatment-guide.com.