Quality of winter wheat seeds secured

As reported by the State Agricultural Inspectorate, all regions of Ukraine were timely provided with high quality winter crop seeds for 2014 planting season, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

In 2013 grain producers deposited in storages 591,980 tons of grain and pulse seeds (excluding maize), or 135% of the demand, in order to secure quality seeds for spring sowing campaign. The department laboratory received for inspection 579,960 tons of seeds.  Some 578,700 tons were recognized as standard, which is 132% of the demand. Standard seeds of high reproduction (not lower than the second grade) are 575,500 tons, or 99%.

In October of 2013, the laboratory received for inspection 1.593 million tons of winter crop seeds. Some 1.588 million tons are recognized standard, which is 121% of the demand. Also, all those seeds are recognized as seeds no less than second reproduction grade.

The department regularly monitors for content or absence of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in the seeds. From January to October 2013,  5,933 samples of seeds were selected and tested, of which GMO were found only in four samples. The grain lots whose samples tested positive for GMO have been rejected, and any further issuance of certificates for them was forbidden.