MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Wheat Alliance says a southeast Kansas farmer has paid a $10,000 settlement for allegedly selling a wheat seed variety without authorization.

The alliance said Monday it accepted the settlement payment from Paul Simpson of Weir, whose alleged selling of the Everest wheat variety violates a federal law that protects property rights of the breeding work done by private or public groups.

The Hutchinson News reports such settlements are part of an effort to stop the unauthorized selling or buying of seed stock, a practice known as “brown bagging.”

The alliance says buying certified seed supports the seed industry by supporting public and private research that lead to improved wheat varieties.