Jun 29, 2015

Sakata Seed America earns GSPP accreditation

Sakata Seed America announced their GSPP certification, as of May 2015.

GSPP, or ‘Good Seed and Plant Practices’ accreditation, is an accreditation system based on a process approach (prophylactic measures) to prevent seed and plant transmitted pathogens in tomato seed. GSPP seed provides added benefit to the grower by ensuring that the purchased seed is clean, pure and unable to spread disease to other crops in their program. GSPP applies to the tomato crop and is mainly concerned with the pathogen, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. Michiganensis, or Cmm.

GSPP accreditation is a voluntary process, which recognizes an organization for respecting the rules of GSPP and its ability to be competent to produce and market tomato seed free of Cmm.

“Sakata is committed to providing the market with the quality products they need to be successful,” said Rhonda Jones, Sakata’s logistics and operations manager. “Offering GSPP certified seed is an extension of that commitment. Now growers that really need GSPP product can get the quality Sakata varieties they want with this added value.”

Sakata Seed America is now authorized to store, treat, process package and distribute GSPP certified tomato seed for the NAFTA market. Sakata Seed America’s sister company, SVE, based in France, has been GSPP accredited since July 29, 2010.

Moving forward, Sakata will now offer customers the following commercial varieties as GSPP. The list of varieties offering GSPP certified seed will continue to grow as varieties continue to be developed.

• Bellastar Indeterminate Grape
• Oribustar Indeterminate Grape
• Oranjestar Indeterminate Cherry
• Ministar Indeterminate Grape
• Rhianna Indeterminate Cocktail
• Moni Indeterminate Saladette
• Rozestar Indeterminate Grape

In addition, Amai, a popular grape tomato variety, will be offered as both GSPP and non-GSPP, dependent upon customer preference.