Sec. 62.008. CERTIFICATION OF SEED AND PLANTS

(a) The department is the certifying agency in Texas for the certification of seed and plants. The department shall employ a sufficient number of inspectors to carry out the inspection provisions of this chapter. Inspectors must meet qualifications set by the board.

(b) A person who is licensed as a Foundation, Registered, or Certified seed or plant producer or who is registered as a plant breeder is eligible to have seed or plants of an eligible class and variety certified by the department. On request by a licensed producer or a registered plant breeder to have seed or plants certified, the department shall inspect the producer's or registrant's fields, facilities, and seed or plants. Inspection may include tests approved by the board and carried out by inspectors under the authority of the department.

(c) After inspection, if the department determines that the production of seed or plants has met the standards and rules prescribed by the board, it shall cause to be attached to each container of the product a label identifying the seed or plant and the certified class and including other information required by statute or by rule of the board. The department shall prescribe the format of the label.

(d) The department shall fix and collect a fee for the issuance of a certification label in an amount necessary to cover the costs of inspection and labels.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1137, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 52, Sec. 9, eff. May 7, 2001.