The Australian Seed Federation (ASF), through its membership, has developed a number of documents and protocols to assist industry participants to make informed decisions in relation to the handling and marketing of seed.

National Code of Practice for Seed Labelling and Marketing

The National Code of Practice for Seed Labelling and Marketing strives to ensure that consumers are provided with consistent and accurate information to enable them to make informed decisions about the suitability of seed for sowing. All ASF members have concurred in the promulgation of the Code and accept its provisions.

This Code also acknowledges intellectual property rights and obliges ASF members to adhere to the provisions of the Plant Breeders Rights Act (1994) and the Patents Act 1990 in respect to marketing of material covered by the legislation.

The ASF accepts the right of members to acquire exclusive rights to material from plant breeding organizations or other institutions from within Australia or overseas and have the right to market this material in Australia, acknowledging company’s proprietorship over such material.

The ASF also acknowledges and recognizes that companies, through their own entrepreneurial activities, may acquire trademarks or develop customized recognition for products which can be accepted as that company’s intellectual property.

⇒ For a copy of the Code please Click here

National Code of Practice for the Use of Seed Treatments

The National Code of Practice for the Use of Seed Treatments aims to ensure that all treated seed for sowing sold under the ASF logo has been treated safely, accurately and efficiently in accordance with current regulatory and industry best practice methods. This assists  farmers, distributors and regulatory authorities who have high expectations regarding the quality of a seed treatment and its application to the seed. The expectations are that seed treatment will provide high performance and safety in processes and products.

The Australian Seed Federation recognizes that seed treatment supports “Added Seed Value” (e.g. safe emergence, seedling establishment, crop stands, yield and crop quality).

The Code applies to the process of seed treatment application to all sowing seed – not including seed treatment for control of seed storage pests

The following ASF Members have been authorised to use the National Code of Practice for the Use of Seed Treatment.

⇒ For a copy of the Code please please Click here

Accredited Members for Use of Seed Treatments

For more information on the Code/s of Practice please contact the Australian Seed Federation on 02 6282 6822.

Best Practice Guidelines

The purpose of the Best Practice Guidelines is to describe good practice that plant breeders and seed companies can apply to manage the variety development and seed production processes for canola sowing seed to comply with Australian regulatory AP requirements at State, Territory and Federal levels, and to comply with industry trading standards.

The guide focuses on testing strategies, standards and processes and assumes that breeding programs and seed companies will have in place quality management systems to ensure compliance.

Best Practice Guidelines for the Management of GM Traits in Lucerne Seed (updated 23/01/19)

Best Practice Guidelines for the Management of GM Traits in Canola Seed (updated 19/08/16)

For more information on Best Practice Guidelines please contact the Australian Seed Federation on 02 6282 6822.

Dispute Resolution

Resolution Institute (formerly Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia) have been appointed by the Australian Seed Federation (ASF) to provide dispute resolution services to the multi-billion dollar Australian seed industry presenting significant benefits to the trade and agricultural sectors.

Resolution Institute has developed and will manage a Dispute Resolution Scheme for the ASF for prompt, cost-effective resolution of domestic disputes in the Australian seed industry by conciliation and/or arbitration.

Resolution Institute has also been appointed by ASF as the exclusive Australian Arbitration Chamber for international disputes regarding trade in seeds, and intellectual property rights in plant breeding. Those disputes are referred to mediation, conciliation or arbitration under the ISF Procedure Rules.

The Rules of the Australian Seed Federation Dispute Resolution Scheme (for the Domestic Trade in Seed for Sowing Purposes and for the Management of Intellectual Property) are designed to cover not only disputes between ASF members, but also disputes between ASF members and those with whom they deal.

For more information on the Resolution Institute please visit http://www.resolution.institute or contact the Australian Seed Federation.