The program underway at lhe National Research Center of Brazilian Enterprise for Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA). aims to obtain bean germplasm free from seed-bome diseases, is descnbed. The points which soon may become bottlenecks in healthy seed multiplication. are identified: a. evaluation of relative seed needs of various cultivar, by region; b. training of seed inspectors in lhe evaluation of the sanitary condition of the field; c. availability of adequate seed health testing laboratories. d. improvement of techniques in seed health testing and research.