[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 242 (Friday, December 17, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78932-78937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31573]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 242 / Friday, December 17, 2010 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 78932]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 201

[Doc. No. AMS-LS-08-0002]
RIN 0581-AC74


Federal Seed Act Regulations

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: AMS is proposing to revise the Federal Seed Act (FSA) 
regulations. The changes would amend the list of prohibited noxious-
weed seeds to reflect the recent addition of four species, deletion of 
two species, and nomenclature change of four species listed in the 
Federal Noxious Weed Act (FNWA); update the seed labeling regulations; 
update the seed testing regulations; update the noxious-weed seed 
tolerances; update the seed certification regulations; and correct 
several minor errors, including updating the nomenclature of kinds 
regulated under the FSA. The list of noxious-weed seeds would be 
amended to help prevent the spread of these highly destructive weeds. 
Updating the labeling regulations and noxious-weed seed tolerances 
would prevent potential conflicts with State regulations, reflect 
currently used terms, and reflect current industry practices. Updating 
the seed testing and seed certification regulations would incorporate 
the latest in seed testing and seed certification knowledge and prevent 
potential conflicts with State regulations.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 15, 2011 to be assured of 
consideration. A public hearing will be held January 21, 2011 at 10 
a.m. at the address listed below.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on this 
proposal. Comments may be submitted electronically at http://www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be sent to Richard C. Payne, 
Chief, Seed Regulatory and Testing Branch, Livestock and Seed Program, 
AMS, USDA, 801 Summit Crossing Place, Suite C, Gastonia, North Carolina 
28054-2193 by mail or by fax to (704) 852-4109.
    All comments should reference the docket number (Doc. No. AMS-LS-
08-0002), the date, and page number of this issue of the Federal 
Register. All comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will 
be included in the record and will be made available to the public. 
Comments will be available for public inspection during regular 
business hours at the above address or via the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Additionally, a public hearing will be held on January 21, 2011, at 
10 a.m. in Room 68 at the Seed Regulatory and Testing Branch, Livestock 
and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 801 Summit Crossing Place, Suite C, 
Gastonia, North Carolina 28054-2193. Interested parties will be allowed 
to present views concerning the proposal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard C. Payne, Chief, Seed 
Regulatory and Testing Branch, Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, 801 
Summit Crossing Place, Suite C, Gastonia, North Carolina 28054-2193; 
telephone (704) 810-8884; fax (704) 852-4109; e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Executive Order 12866

    This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. 
This rule has been determined to be not significant and, therefore, has 
not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Executive Order 12988

    The proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, 
Civil Justice Reform. It is not intended to have a retroactive effect. 
There are no administrative procedures that must be exhausted prior to 
judicial challenge to the provision of this rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Act and Paperwork Reduction Act

    AMS has certified that this action will not have a significant 
impact on a substantial number of small entities as defined in the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612). Many small entities ship 
seed in interstate commerce. There are about 3,095 interstate shippers. 
Small agricultural service firms, which include interstate shippers, 
are defined by the Small Business Administration as those whose annual 
receipts are less than $7,000,000 (13 CFR 121.201). We estimate that 
about 90 percent of the interstate shippers are small entities.
    Shippers, including small entities, usually test and subsequently 
package and label seed to comply with both the FSA and State seed laws. 
This is possible because the testing requirements of the State laws are 
similar or the same as those of the FSA. Therefore, a single test 
provides information necessary to comply with both State seed laws and 
the FSA. The changes proposed by AMS to the seed testing and seed 
certification regulations would reconcile State and Federal seed 
testing and seed certification procedures. Moreover, using similar or 
the same testing procedures will reduce the burden on small entities 
shipping seed in interstate commerce because a test used for interstate 
commerce could also be used in intrastate commerce.
    Adding four species to the list of seeds that are noxious in seed 
shipped in interstate commerce would not significantly impact small 
entities by adding additional costs for seed testing, because all seed 
must currently be examined for 93 noxious-weed seeds listed in the FSA 
regulations and those listed in the State laws to be compliant with the 
FSA. (The FSA requires that seed shipped in interstate commerce comply 
with the noxious-weed seed requirements of that State into which the 
seed is shipped.) Therefore, any examination required by this proposal 
would be in conjunction with examination that already occurs for State 
noxious-weed seeds. Updating the noxious-weed seed tolerances to be 
uniform with those required by State laws will make FSA and State 
regulatory action uniform and not increase the burden on small entities 
shipping seed in interstate commerce.
    The proposed change removal of the exemption in the FSA regulations 
for labeling freshly harvested Kentucky bluegrass seed and sugar beet 
seed shipped in interstate commerce during July, August, and September 
for germination would not add additional costs for seed testing because 
this testing and subsequent labeling is

[[Page 78933]]

required by State seed laws and regulations. Also, much of the seed 
handled by small entities is already tested by their suppliers. There 
will be no effect on the competitive position of small entities in 
relation to larger entities since both will have to comply with the 
same regulations.
    This rule would not impose any additional reporting or 
recordkeeping requirements. Such requirements are currently approved by 
OMB under Control No. 0581-0026.

Executive Order 13132

    This proposed rule has been reviewed in accordance with the 
requirements of Executive Order 13132, Federalism. USDA has determined 
that this rule conforms to the Federalism principles set forth in the 
Executive Order, and that this rule does not have Federalism 
implications.

Background

    The FSA, Title II (7 U.S.C. 1571-1575) regulates agricultural and 
vegetable planting seeds in interstate commerce. Agricultural and 
vegetable seeds shipped in interstate commerce must be labeled with 
certain quality information. The labeling information and any 
advertisements pertaining to the seed must be truthful.

Terms Defined

    This proposed rule would revise and update the nomenclature of many 
of the kinds of agricultural and vegetable seeds listed in Sec. Sec.  
201.2(h) and 201.2(i) to conform to current usage on the International 
Code of Botanical Nomenclature. It would also add ``bunching onion'' 
and ``radicchio'' as acceptable synonyms for ``Welch onion'' and 
``chicory,'' respectively, in Sec.  201.2(i). ``Bunching onion'' and 
``radicchio'' are commonly used and accepted kind names by companies 
selling and labeling seed.

Noxious-Weed Seeds

    Under the Federal Noxious Weed Act (FNWA) of 1974 (7 U.S.C. 2801-
2814) the Secretary has identified certain noxious weeds that are 
prohibited movement into or through the United States. AMS is proposing 
to amend Sec.  201.16(b) of the FSA regulations to designate seeds of 
four additional species of noxious weeds listed under the FNWA as 
noxious in agricultural and vegetable seed shipped in interstate 
commerce under the FSA. In addition, AMS proposes to amend the FSA 
regulations to remove two species no longer cited in the FNWA and 
revise the nomenclature of four species to be consistent with the 
nomenclature in the FNWA. The USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) enforces both the FNWA and Title III, the Foreign 
Commerce provisions of the FSA. However, the FNWA does not apply to 
seeds for planting which are subject to the FSA and does not apply to 
any noxious weed seeds which may contaminate seed subject to the 
provisions of the FSA. Thus, AMS cannot currently take regulatory 
action when seeds of the four species classified as noxious under the 
FNWA are found in planting seed. Therefore, by recognizing them as 
noxious weeds under the FSA, AMS can act in an orderly way to prevent 
their spread on those rare occasions that they are found in planting 
seeds. Noxious weeds which are not listed under the FSA may still be 
restricted under the FSA in some cases. Each State has a list of weed 
seeds that are noxious in planting seed. Weed seeds that are designated 
noxious by each State are also noxious under the FSA when present in 
seed shipped into that State.

Seed Testing

    The proposed rule would update the FSA seed testing regulations to 
include testing to reflect improvements in seed testing technology and 
the current standards of usage within the industry as outlined below. 
The Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) has already adopted 
these changes in their ``Rules for Testing Seed,'' the testing rules 
used by most State and commercial seed analysts. Including these 
changes in the FSA regulations would eliminate potential conflicts 
between the testing rules used in interstate commerce and those used by 
the States. This would eliminate the need to do separate tests to 
ensure that seed labeling complies with both Federal and State laws. It 
will also facilitate seed trade and reduce cost to the seed industry 
and to seed buyers.
    Proposed changes to Sec. Sec.  201.48(g) and 201.51(b) specify a 
change in the FSA regulations for determining pure seed and inert 
matter for 18 grass seed kinds. The change would require pure seed of 
these 18 kinds to have a caryopsis at least one-third the length of the 
palea. The change would also require seeds of these 18 grass kinds to 
be classified as inert matter if the caryopsis development is less than 
one-third the length of the palea. Currently, all seeds of these 18 
grass kinds are considered pure seed if the caryopsis has some degree 
of endosperm development.

Noxious-Weed Seed Tolerances

    The proposed rule would update the FSA seed testing regulations to 
reflect improvements in the noxious-weed seed tolerances using modern 
statistical applications. The AOSA has already adopted these changes in 
their ``Rules for Testing Seed,'' the rules used by most State and 
commercial seed analysts. Including these changes would eliminate 
potential conflicts between FSA and State regulatory action.

Seed Certification

    This proposed rule would also update the certified seed 
regulations. Sections 201.74 and 201.75 would be amended to permit the 
option of printing the lot number, kind, and variety name (if certified 
to variety) on the seed container in a position to be viewed in 
conjunction with the official certification label. A sentence in 
Sec. Sec.  201.74 and 201.75, pertaining to small containers of seed, 
would be deleted because these containers are covered in the amendment. 
The Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA), the 
organization that develops rules for use by its members to certify seed 
for varietal purity, has already amended its rules to allow the option 
of printing certain required labeling information on seed containers 
outside the confines of the certification label. This proposed rule 
would reflect that change in the AOSCA rules and current industry 
practices. In addition, this option would allow seed companies to 
realize a financial savings by purchasing seed bags with preprinted 
certification labels in large quantities and add the required 
information pertinent to each seed lot.

Seed Labeling

    We are proposing to add the term ``(Environmental Protection Agency 
Toxicity Category I)'' after references to ``mercurials and similarly 
toxic substances'' in Sec. Sec.  201.31a(c)(1), 201.31a(c)(2), and 
201.31a(d).
    The current FSA regulations refer to the most toxic class of 
chemical seed treatments as ``mercurials and similarly toxic 
substances.'' However, mercury-based compounds are no longer used by 
the seed industry for treating seeds. Further, the current 
classification by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the most 
toxic chemical compounds used as seed treatments is ``Toxicity Category 
I.'' Chemicals of this toxicity, sold in bulk for treating seed, are 
required by EPA to be labeled as Toxicity Category I compounds. 
Therefore, adding the term ``(Environmental Protection Agency Toxicity 
Category I)'' to the FSA regulations would clarify the labeling 
requirements for seed treated with the most toxic class of chemical 
compounds

[[Page 78934]]

used by the seed industry, reduce the possibility of mislabeling 
chemically treated seed shipped in interstate commerce, and provide 
consistency with classification terms used by EPA.
    AMS is proposing to update Sec.  201.20 by removing the exemption 
from labeling freshly harvested Kentucky bluegrass and sugar beet seed 
sold in July, August, and September for germination. Germination 
labeling is required for all other kinds of seeds regulated by the FSA. 
This exemption is no longer needed because current industry practice is 
to label all kinds of seed for germination prior to shipment and sale. 
Since State seed laws require labeling of all seed for germination, 
removing this exemption would eliminate conflict between the FSA 
regulations and State seed labeling requirements.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 201

    Certified seed, Definitions, Inspections, Labeling, Purity 
analysis, Sampling.

    For reasons set forth in the preamble, it is proposed that 7 CFR 
part 201 be amended as follows:

PART 201--FEDERAL SEED ACT REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 201 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1592.


Sec.  201.2  [Amended]

    2. Section 201.2 is amended by:
    A. In the introductory text, removing the words ``Sec. Sec.  201.1 
through 201.159'' and adding the words ``this part'' in its place.
    B. In paragraph (f), removing the word ``act'' and adding the word 
``Act'' in its place, and by removing the words ``Sec. Sec.  201.1 
through 201.159'' and adding the words ``this part'' in their place.
    C. In paragraph (h), removing the terms ``Agrotricum--x 
Agrotriticum Ciferri and Giacom.'', ``Alfalfa--Medicago sativa L.'', 
``Alfilaria--Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Her.'', ``Bahiagrass--Paspalum 
notatum Fluegge'', ``Barley--Hordeum vulgare L.'', ``Bean, adzuki--
Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi and Ohashi'', ``Bean, field--Phaseolus 
vulgaris L.'', ``Bean, mung--Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek'', ``Bentgrass, 
creeping--Agrostis stolonifera L. var. palustris (Huds) Farw.'', 
``Bermudagrass, giant--Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. Aridus Harlan 
and de Wet'', ``Bluegrass, Nevada--Poa secunda J.S. Presl'', 
``Bluestem, big--Andropogon gerardii Vitm. var. gerardii'', ``Bluestem, 
yellow--Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng'', ``Brome, meadow--Bromus 
biebersteninii Roem. and Schult.'', ``Brome, smooth--Bromus inermis 
Leyss.'', ``Corn, field--Zea mays L.'', ``Corn, pop--Zea mays L.'', 
``Crambe--Crambe abyssinica R.E. Fries'', ``Crotalaria, slenderleaf--
Crotalaria brevidens Benth. var. intermedia (Kotschy) Polh.'', 
``Crotalaria, striped or smooth--Crotalaria pallida Ait.'', 
``Crownvetch--Coronilla varia L.'', ``Dichondra--Dichondra repens 
Forst. and Forst. f.'', ``Emmer--Triticum dicoccon Schrank'', ``Fescue, 
chewings--Festuca rubra L. subsp. commutata Gaud.'', ``Fescue, hair--
Festuca tenuifolia Sibth.'', ``Fescue, hard--Festuca brevipila 
Tracey'', ``Fescue, sheep--Festuca ovina L. var. ovina'', ``Grama, 
blue--Bouteloua gracilis (Kunth) Steud.'', ``Hardinggrass--Phalaris 
stenoptera Hack.'', ``Hemp--Cannabis sativa L.'', ``Kudzu--Pueraria 
montana (Lour.) Merr. var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen and S. Almeida'', 
``Lentil--Lens culinaris Medik.'', ``Lespedeza, sericea or Chinese--
Lespedeza cuneata'', ``Lespedeza, striate--Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) 
Schindler'', ``Lovegrass, sand--Eragrostis trichodes (Nutt.) Wood'', 
``Millet, foxtail--Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.'', ``Millet, 
Japanese--Echinochloa frumentacea Link'', ``Millet, proso--Panicum 
miliaceum L.'', ``Molassesgrass--Melinis minutiflora Beauv.'', 
``Mustard, black--Brassica nigra (L.) Koch'', ``Mustard, India--
Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. and Coss.'', ``Mustard, white--Sinapis 
alba L.'', ``Oat--Avena byzantina C. Koch, A. sativa L., A. nuda L.'', 
``Oatgrass, tall--Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) J.S. Presl and K.B. 
Presl'', ``Panicgrass, green--Panicum maxicum Jacq. var. trichoglume 
Robyns'', ``Pea, field--Pisum sativum L.'' ``Rape, annual--Brassica 
napus L. var. annua Koch'', ``Rape, bird--Brassica rapa L. subsp. 
rapa'', ``Rape, turnip--Brassica rapa L. subsp. silvestris (Lam.) 
Janchen'', ``Rape, winter--Brassica napus L. var. biennis (Schubl. and 
Mart.) Reichb.'', ``Rescuegrass--Bromus catharticus Vahl'', 
``Ricegrass, Indian--Oryzopsis hymenoides (Roem. and Schult.) Ricker'', 
``Rye--Secale cereale L.'', ``Rye, mountain--Secale strictum (K.B. 
Presl) K.B. Presl subsp. strictum'', ``Ryegrass, Wimmera--Lolium 
rigidum Gaud.'', ``Sorghum-sudangrass--Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) 
Millsp. and Chase'', ``Spelt--Triticum spelta L.'', ``Sudangrass--
Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. and Chase'', ``Timothy, turf--
Phleum bertolonii DC.'', ``Trefoil, big--Lotus uliginosus Schk.'', 
``Triticale--x Triticosecale Wittm. (Secale x Triticum)'', 
``Veldtgrass--Ehrharta calycina J.E. Smith'', ``Wheat, common--Triticum 
aestivum L.'', ``Wheat, club--Triticum compactum Host'', ``Wheat, 
durum--Triticum durum Desf.'', ``Wheat, Polish--Triticum polonicum 
L.'', ``Wheat, poulard--Triticum turgidum L.'', ``Wheatgrass, 
beardless--Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Love'', ``Wheatgrass, 
intermediate--Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski subsp. intermedia'', 
``Wheatgrass, pubescent--Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski subsp. 
intermedia'', ``Wheatgrass, Siberian--Agropyron fragile (Roth) Candargy 
subsp. sibiricum (Willd.) Meld.'', ``Wheatgrass, slender--Elymus 
trachycaulus (Link) Shinn.'', ``Wheatgrass, streambank--Elymus 
lanceolatus (Scribn. and J.G. Smith) Gould subsp. lanceolatus.'', 
``Wheatgrass, tall--Elytrigia elongata (Host) Nevski'', ``Wheatgrass, 
western--Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Love'', and ``Wildrye, basin--
Leymus cinereus (Scribn. & Merr.) A. Love''.
    D. In paragraph (h), adding the terms ``Agrotricum--x Agrotriticum 
Cif. & Giacom.'', ``Alfalfa--Medicago sativa L. subsp. sativa'', 
``Alfilaria--Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'H[eacute]r.'', ``Bahiagrass--
Paspalum notatum Fl[uuml]gg[eacute]'', ``Barley--Hordeum vulgare L. 
subsp. vulgare'', ``Bean, adzuki--Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & H. 
Ohashi var. angularis'', ``Bean, field--Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. 
vulgaris'', ``Bean, mung--Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata'', 
``Bentgrass, creeping--Agrostis stolonifera L.'', ``Bermudagrass, 
giant--Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. aridus J.R. Harlan & de Wet'', 
``Bluegrass, Nevada--Poa secunda J. Presl'', ``Bluestem, big--
Andropogon gerardii Vitman'', ``Bluestem, yellow--Bothriochloa 
ischaemum (L.) Keng var. ischaemum'', ``Brome, meadow--Bromus 
biebersteinii Roem. & Schult.'', ``Brome, smooth--Bromus inermis Leyss. 
subsp. inermis'', ``Corn, field--Zea mays L. subsp. mays'', ``Corn, 
pop--Zea mays L. subsp. mays'', ``Crambe--Crambe abyssinica R.E. Fr.'', 
``Crotalaria, slenderleaf--Crotalaria brevidens Benth. var. intermedia 
(Kotschy) Polhill'', ``Crotalaria, striped or smooth--Crotalaria 
pallida Aiton'', ``Crownvetch--Securigera varia (L.) Lassen'', 
``Dichondra--Dichondra repens J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.'', ``Emmer--
Triticum turgidum L. subsp. dicoccon (Schrank) Thell.'', ``Fescue, 
Chewing's--Festuca rubra L. subsp. commutata Gaudin'', ``Fescue, hair--
Festuca filiformis Pourr.'', ``Fescue, hard--Festuca trachyphylla 
(Hack.) Krajina'', ``Fescue, sheep--Festuca ovina L.'', ``Grama, blue--
Bouteloua gracilis

[[Page 78935]]

(Kunth) Griffiths'', ``Hardinggrass--Phalaris aquatica L.'', ``Hemp--
Cannabis sativa L. subsp. sativa'', ``Kudzu--Pueraria montana (Lour.) 
Merr. var. lobata (Willd.) Sanjappa & Predeep'', ``Lentil--Lens 
culinaris Medik. subsp. culinaris'', ``Lespedeza, sericea or Chinese--
Lespedeza cuneata (Dum. Cours.) G. Don'', ``Lespedeza, striate--
Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl.'', ``Lovegrass, sand--Eragrostis 
trichodes (Nutt.) Alph. Wood'', ``Millet, foxtail--Setaria italica (L.) 
P. Beauv. subsp. italica'', ``Millet, Japanese--Echinochloa esculenta 
(A. Braun) H. Scholz'', ``Millet, proso--Panicum miliaceum L. subsp. 
miliaceum'', ``Molassesgrass--Melinis minutiflora P. Beauv.'', 
``Mustard, black--Brassica nigra (L.) W.D.J. Koch'', ``Mustard, India--
Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. var. juncea'', ``Mustard, white--Sinapis 
alba L. subsp. alba'', ``Oat--Avena byzantina K. Koch, A. sativa L., A 
.nuda L.'', ``Oatgrass, tall--Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) J. Presl & C. 
Presl subsp. elatius'', ``Panicgrass, green--Panicum maximum Jacq.'', 
``Pea, field--Pisum sativum L. var. arvense (L.) Poir.'', ``Rape, 
annual--Brassica napus L. var. napus'', ``Rape, bird--Brassica rapa L. 
subsp. campestris (L.) A.R. Clapham'', ``Rape, turnip--Brassica rapa L. 
subsp. campestris (L.) A.R. Clapham and subsp. oleifera (DC.) Metzg.'', 
``Rape, winter--Brassica napus L. var. napus'', ``Rescuegrass--Bromus 
catharticus Vahl var. catharticus'', ``Ricegrass, Indian--Achnatherum 
hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.) Barkworth'', ``Rye--Secale cereale L. 
subsp. cereale'', ``Rye, mountain--Secale strictum (C. Presl) C. Presl 
subsp. strictum'', ``Ryegrass, Wimmera--Lolium rigidum Gaudin'', 
``Sorghum-sudangrass--Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase'', 
``Spelt--Triticum aestivum L. subsp. spelta (L.) Thell.'', 
``Sudangrass--Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase'', 
``Timothy, turf--Phleum nodosum L.'', ``Trefoil, big--Lotus uliginosus 
Schkuhr'', ``Triticale--x Triticosecale A. Camus (Secale x Triticum)'', 
``Veldtgrass--Ehrharta calycina Sm.'', ``Wheat, common--Triticum 
aestivum L. subsp. aestivum'', ``Wheat, club--Triticum aestivum L. 
subsp. compactum (Host) Mackey'', ``Wheat, durum--Triticum turgidum L. 
subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.'', ``Wheat, Polish--Triticum turgidum L. 
subsp. polonicum (L.) Thell.'', ``Wheat, poulard--Triticum turgidum L. 
subsp. turgidum'', ``Wheatgrass, beardless--Pseudoroegneria spicata 
(Pursh) [Aacute]. L[ouml]ve'', ``Wheatgrass, intermediate--Thinopyrum 
intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey subsp. intermedium'', 
``Wheatgrass, pubescent--Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. 
Dewey subsp. barbulatum (Schur) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey'', ``Wheatgrass, 
Siberian--Agropyron fragile (Roth) P. Candargy'', ``Wheatgrass, 
slender--Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Shinners subsp. trachycaulus'', 
``Wheatgrass, streambank--Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould 
subsp. riparius (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Barkworth'', ``Wheatgrass, tall--
Thinopyrum elongatum (Host) D.R. Dewey'', ``Wheatgrass, western--
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey'', and ``Wildrye, 
basin--Leymus cinereus (Scribn. & Merr.) [Aacute]. L[ouml]ve''.
    E. In paragraph (i), removing the terms ``Artichoke--Cynara 
cardunculus L. subsp. cardunculus'', ``Asparagus--Asparagus officinalis 
Baker'', ``Bean, garden--Phaseolus vulgaris L.'', ``Bean, lima--
Phaseolus lunatus L.'', ``Broadbean--Vicia faba L.'', ``Broccoli--
Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.'', ``Brussels sprouts--Brassica 
oleracea L. var. gemmifera DC.'', ``Cardoon--Cynara cardunculus L. 
subsp. cardunculus'', ``Celeriac--Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum 
(Mill.) Gaud.'', ``Chard, Swiss--Beta vulgaris L. subsp. cicla (L.) 
Koch'', ``Citron--Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai var. 
citroides (Bailey) Mansf.'', ``Collards--Brassica oleracea L. var. 
acephala DC.'', ``Corn, sweet--Zea mays L.'', ``Cornsalad--Valerianella 
locusta (L.) Laterrade'', Cress, water--Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum 
(L.) Hayek'', Dandelion--Taraxacum officinale Wigg.'', ``Endive--
Cichorium endivia L.'', ``Gherkin, West India--Cucumis anguria L.'', 
``Kale--Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.'', ``Kale, Chinese--
Brassica oleracea L. var. alboglabra (Bailey) Musil'', ``Kale, 
Siberian--Brassica napus L. var. pabularia (DC.) Reichb.'', ``Melon--
Cucumis melo L.'', ``Mustard, India--Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. and 
Coss.'', ``Mustard, spinach--Brassica perviridis (Bailey) Bailey'', 
``Onion--Allium cepa L.'', ``Parsnip--Pastinaca sativa L.'', ``Pea--
Pisum sativum L.'', ``Pumpkin--Cucurbita pepo L., C. moschata 
(Duchesne) Poiret, and C. maxima Duchesne'', ``Rhubarb--Rheum 
rhabarbarum L.'', ``Rutabaga--Brassica napus L. var. napobrassica (L.) 
Reichb.'', ``Spinach, New Zealand--Tetragonia tetragonoides (Pall.) 
Ktze.'', ``Squash--Cucurbita pepo L., C. moschata (Duchesne) Poiret, 
and C. maxima Duchesne'', and ``Watermelon--Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) 
Matsum. and Nakai var. lanatus''.
    F. In paragraph (i), adding the terms ``Artichoke--Cynara 
cardunculus L.'', ``Asparagus--Asparagus officinalis L.'', ``Bean, 
garden--Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. vulgaris'', ``Bean, Lima--Phaseolus 
lunatus L.'', ``Broadbean--Vicia faba L. var. faba'', ``Broccoli--
Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck'', ``Brussels sprouts--
Brassica oleracea L. var. gemmifera Zenker'', ``Cardoon--Cynara 
cardunculus L.'', ``Celeriac--Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum (Mill.) 
Gaudin'', ``Chard, Swiss--Beta vulgaris L. subsp. vulgaris'', ``Citron 
melon--Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. citroides (L.H. 
Bailey) Mansf.'', ``Collards--Brassica oleracea L. var. viridis L.'', 
``Corn, sweet--Zea mays L. subsp. mays'', ``Cornsalad--Valerianella 
locusta (L.) Laterr.'', ``Cress, water--Nasturtium officinale R. Br.'', 
``Dandelion--Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.'', ``Endive--Cichorium 
endivia L. subsp. endivia'', ``Gherkin, West India--Cucumis anguria L. 
var. anguria'', ``Kale--Brassica oleracea L. var. viridis L.'', ``Kale, 
Chinese--Brassica oleracea L. var. alboglabra (L.H. Bailey) Musil'', 
``Kale, Siberian--Brassica napus L. var. pabularia (DC.) Rchb.'', 
``Melon--Cucumis melo L. subsp. melo'', ``Mustard, India--Brassica 
juncea (L.) Czern.'', ``Mustard, spinach--Brassica rapa var. perviridis 
L.H. Bailey'', ``Onion--Allium cepa L. var. cepa'', ``Onion, bunching 
(see Onion, Welsh)'', ``Parsnip--Pastinaca sativa L. subsp. sativa'', 
``Pea--Pisum sativum L. subsp. sativum'', ``Pumpkin--Cucurbita pepo L., 
C. moschata Duchesne, and C. maxima Duchesne'', ``Radicchio (see 
Chicory)'', ``Rhubarb--Rheum x hybridum Murray'', ``Rutabaga--Brassica 
napus L. var. napobrassica (L.) Rchb.'', ``Spinach, New Zealand--
Tetragonia tetragonoides (Pall.) Kuntze'', ``Squash--Cucurbita pepo L., 
C. moschata Duchesne, and C. maxima Duchesne'', and ``Watermelon--
Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. lanatus''.
    G. In paragraph (w), removing the words ``noxious weed'' and adding 
the words ``noxious-weeds'' in their place every time they appear.
    H. In paragraph (z), removing the word ``Processing'' and adding 
the word ``Conditioning'' in its place, and removing in the first 
sentence the word ``processing'' and adding the word ``conditioning'' 
in its place.


Sec.  201.16  [Amended]

    3. Section 201.16, in paragraph (b), is amended by removing the 
terms ``Borreria alata (Aubl.)DC.'', ``Carthamus oxyacanthus M.Bieb '', 
``Digitaria abyssinica Stapf. (=D. scalarum (Schweinf.)'', ``Ipomoea 
triloba L.'', ``Orobanche spp.'', ``Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) 
Clayton (=R.exaltata (L.) L.f.)'' and adding in alphabetical order the 
terms ``Carthamus

[[Page 78936]]

oxyacantha M. Bieb'', ``Digitaria scalarum (Schweinfurth) Chiovenda'', 
``Homeria spp.'', ``oxyacantha'', ``Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) 
Clayton'', ``Senecio inaequidens DC.'', ``Senecio madagascariensis 
Poir.'', ``Solanum tampicense Dunal'' and ``Spermacoce alata (Aublet) 
de Candolle''.
    4. Section 201.20 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  201.20  Germination.

    The label shall show the percentage of germination for each kind or 
kind and variety or kind and type of kind and hybrid of agricultural 
seed present in excess of 5 percent or shown in the labeling to be 
present in a proportion of 5 percent or less.


Sec.  201.31a  [Amended]

    5. Section 201.31a is amended by adding the words ``(Environmental 
Protection Agency Toxicity Category I)'' after the word ``substance'' 
in paragraph (c)(1) and after the word ``substances'' in paragraph 
(c)(2) introductory text.


Sec.  201.41  [Amended]

    6. In Sec.  201.41, paragraph (a), the word ``less'' is removed and 
the word ``fewer'' is added in its place.
    7. In Sec.  201.48, the introductory text of paragraph (g) is 
amended by adding a new second sentence to read as follows:


Sec.  201.48  Kind or variety considered pure seed.

* * * * *
    (g) * * * Seed units of smooth brome, fairway crested wheatgrass, 
standard crested wheatgrass, tall wheatgrass, intermediate wheatgrass, 
pubescent wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, fescues (Festuca spp.), and 
ryegrasses (Lolium spp.) if the caryopses are at least one-third the 
length of the palea; the caryopsis is measured from the base of the 
rachilla. * * *
* * * * *
    8. Section 201.51 is amended by adding paragraph (a)(9) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  201.51  Inert matter.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (9) Immature florets of smooth brome, fairway crested wheatgrass, 
standard crested wheatgrass, tall wheatgrass, intermediate wheatgrass, 
pubescent wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, fescues (Festuca spp.), and 
ryegrasses (Lolium spp.) in which the caryopses are less than one-third 
the length of the palea; the caryopsis is measured from the base of the 
rachilla.
* * * * *
    9. Section 201.65 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  201.65  Noxious-weed seeds in interstate commerce.

    Tolerances for rates of occurrence of noxious-weed seeds shall be 
recognized and shall be applied to the number of noxious-weed seeds 
found by analysis in the quantity of seed specified for noxious-weed 
seed determinations in Sec.  201.46, except as provided in Sec.  
201.16(b). Rates per pound or ounce must be converted to the equivalent 
number of seeds found in Sec.  201.46, Table 1, Minimum weight for 
noxious-weed seed examination (grams). Some tolerances are listed in 
the following table. The number found as represented by the label or 
test (Column X) will be considered within tolerance if not more than 
the corresponding numbers in Column Y are found by analysis in the 
administration of the Act. For numbers of seed greater than those in 
the table, a tolerance based on a degree of certainty of 5 percent (P = 
0.05) can be calculated by the formula, Y = X + 1.65[radic]X + 0.03, 
where X is the number of seeds represented by the label or test and Y 
is the maximum number within tolerance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Number represented by     Maximum number within     Number represented by     Maximum number within    Number represented by    Maximum number within
      label or test              tolerances               label or test              tolerances              label or test              tolerances
(X)                                        (Y)                       (X)                       (Y)                       (X)                      (Y)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   0                         2                        34                        43                        68                       81
                   1                         2                        35                        44                        69                       82
                   2                         4                        36                        45                        70                       83
                   3                         5                        37                        46                        71                       84
                   4                         7                        38                        47                        72                       85
                   5                         8                        39                        49                        73                       86
                   6                         9                        40                        50                        74                       87
                   7                        11                        41                        51                        75                       89
                   8                        12                        42                        52                        76                       90
                   9                        13                        43                        53                        77                       91
                  10                        14                        44                        54                        78                       92
                  11                        16                        45                        55                        79                       93
                  12                        17                        46                        56                        80                       94
                  13                        18                        47                        58                        81                       95
                  14                        19                        48                        59                        82                       96
                  15                        21                        49                        60                        83                       97
                  16                        22                        50                        61                        84                       98
                  17                        23                        51                        62                        85                       99
                  18                        24                        52                        63                        86                      101
                  19                        25                        53                        64                        87                      102
                  20                        27                        54                        65                        88                      103
                  21                        28                        55                        67                        89                      104
                  22                        29                        56                        68                        90                      105
                  23                        30                        57                        69                        91                      106
                  24                        31                        58                        70                        92                      107
                  25                        32                        59                        71                        93                      108
                  26                        34                        60                        72                        94                      109
                  27                        35                        61                        73                        95                      110
                  28                        36                        62                        74                        96                      111
                  29                        37                        63                        75                        97                      112
                  30                        38                        64                        76                        98                      114
                  31                        39                        65                        78                        99                      115

[[Page 78937]]

 
                  32                        41                        66                        79                       100                      116
                  33                        42                        67                        80      .......................  .......................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    10. In Sec.  201.74, paragraph (a) is amended by removing the last 
sentence, and paragraph (c) is amended by adding a sentence at the end 
of the paragraph to read as follows:


Sec.  201.74  Labeling of all classes of certified seed.

* * * * *
    (c) * * * The seed lot number or other identification number, the 
kind, and variety name (if certified to variety) shall appear on the 
official label and/or directly on the container in a position to be 
viewed in conjunction with the official certification label.
* * * * *
    11. In Sec.  201.75, paragraph (c), the last sentence is revised to 
read as follows:


Sec.  201.75  Interagency certification.

* * * * *
    (c) * * * The seed lot number or other identification number, the 
kind, and variety name (if certified to variety) shall appear on the 
official label and/or directly on the container in a position to be 
viewed in conjunction with the official certification label.

    Dated: December 10, 2010.
Robert C. Keeney,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-31573 Filed 12-16-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P