Alfalfa & Misc. Legumes

The purpose of the Alfalfa Seed Stewardship Program (ASSP) is to provide a market-specific certification program that can be used by an alfalfa seed producer or contractor in the management of LLP (low level presence) of GM traits in alfalfa seed production.  The ASSP has been developed with input from a number of experts in the seed industry and has been approved by The Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA).

The ASSP is based upon seed certification standards currently applied to alfalfa seed certification and utilization of the complete seed certification process is strongly encouraged with the ASSP, as aspects important to seed quality, such as mechanical seed standards, are not addressed in the program.

Seed Certifying Agencies belonging to AOSCA work closely with applicants to develop seed production oversight activities that, in addition to traditional certification standards, will assist them in producing seed that will meet their seed consumers' expectations for LLP.

Likewise, GM variety production fields may be inspected for performance of producer-defined standards.  Completion of this Stewardship program will result in the issuance of an ASSP certificate and may also result in final AOSCA certification tags.

For further information, please contact your local Seed Certifying Agency or AOSCA using information found in other sections of this website.

Agencies participating in ASSP

California Crop Improvement Association

Idaho Crop Improvement Association

Montana Seed Growers Association

Oregon Seed Certification Service

Washington State Crop Improvement Association

Washington State Department of Agriculture

Wyoming Seed Certification Service