Committee pauses seed‑label reform to define production date, enforcement

House Bill 1780 would remove a statutory limit on relabeling seed packages and cap saleability at 36 months from a defined production date. Supporters said the change corrects a mismatch between state relabeling rules and industry practice and protects germination rates for consumers.

Tom Praol, representing the New Hampshire Retail Association and Scotts Miracle‑Gro interests, explained vendors use third‑party germination testing and relabel bags periodically; New Hampshire's existing relabel limits can make a bag effectively usable for fewer months than intended. "We would remove the limit of the relabeling and we would set a cap for how many months the seed can be sold in New Hampshire at 36 months," Praol said, describing industry support for a clear production‑date rule.

The Department of Agriculture witness said the bill is not enforceable without a required production date on labels. The department recommended either defining production date in statute or specifying in rule where production‑date information must appear so inspectors can verify the 36‑month limit. Committee members discussed whether production date should be month/year or tied to the calendar month of first germination testing; industry suggested the month/year the seed was bagged might be the most practical option.

The committee agreed to delay final action for one week so sponsors, the department and industry could refine the definition and cross‑references. The committee closed the hearing and asked for a revised draft before the next meeting.