HB 1429 -- Seed Availability and Competition Act

Co-Sponsors:  Shoemyer (9), Myers, Berkowitz, Copenhaver,
Whorton, Merideth, Kreider, Britt, Mayer

This bill is to be known as the Missouri Seed Availability and
Competition Act.  The bill requires farmers who plant patented
seed and want to retain seed from their harvest for next season's
planting to register with the Department of Agriculture and pay a
fee of $7 for each bushel of seed retained.  All moneys collected
pursuant to the bill are to be deposited in the Genetically
Engineered Seed Fund, created by the bill.  Six dollars per
bushel collected are to be remitted to the patent holder of the
genetically engineered seed on a quarterly basis.  One dollar is
to be retained for actual administrative costs of the fund, with
any excess moneys to be paid to the Briemeyer Center for Food
Policy.

Under the bill, a farmer will only be liable if he or she
intentionally or negligently fails to follow the patent holder's
or manufacturer's instructions and guidelines regarding the use
of the seed.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:01 am