AMS 256-08

Sam Jones (202) 720-8998

Samuel.Jones@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

Billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2009 -The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced today that Olean Seed, a seed company operating out of Olean, Mo., has paid $1,050 to settle alleged violations of the Federal Seed Act. The case was settled in agreement with AMS officials. The company neither admitted nor denied the charges brought against them.

This settlement resolves a case which involved a shipment of tall fescue seed to Texas, and two shipments of tall fescue seed to Georgia. The alleged violation was false labeling in regard to noxious-weed seed.

AMS administers the Federal Seed Act with the assistance of state seed officials. The investigation was completed through the joint efforts of AMS and seed regulatory officials in Georgia and Texas. The Federal Seed Act is a truth-in-labeling law designed to protect farmers and consumers who buy seed.