OABA SUPPORTS NEW SEED LAW

House Bill 143 Has First Hearing

Needed changes to the Ohio Seed Law are being addressed in House Bill 143. Most of the changes update the law to better address vegetable, flower and turf seeds. However, a major aspect of the HB 143 is language creating an operating fund specific to the seed program. All money paid by the seed industry in the form of fees and taxes are to be deposited in a seed fund for the sole purpose of administering the Ohio Seed Law. This will enable the Ohio Department of Agriculture to strengthen the current seed regulatory program. Currently ODA relies on general revenue dollars to support the seed program and with the crunch in the state budget; those dollars may not be forth coming.

OABA will testify in support of HB 143 at the April 30th House Ag Committee Hearing.
Without adequate funding Ohio has the potential to become a dumping ground for inferior seed and dishonest business practices.

HB 143 can be viewed by going to OABA web site (www.oaba.net ) clicking on Related Links; State Government; Ohio House; Legislation; enter 143 in Bill Number.