Report Mystery Seeds

Public Asked to Report Unsolicited Seed Deliveries

Pamela Smith
By  Pamela Smith , Crops Technology Editor
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Packages containing seeds and arriving from China should be not be planted or discarded. If you receive any seeds, report it to authorities.

DECATUR, Ill. (DTN) -- Several state agriculture departments have issued alerts regarding unsolicited packages containing seeds arriving in the mail from China.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture issued a statement noting the packages appear to have come from Chinese origin and contain packages of seeds, although the contents may be described as jewelry.

The concern is the unsolicited seed could possibly be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants or be harmful to livestock. Invasive species can displace or destroy native plants and insects and severely damage crops. Taking steps to prevent their introduction is the most effective method of reducing both the risk of invasive species infestations and the cost to control and mitigate those infestations, a news release from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture read.

On Friday, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) issued a release when a resident in St. Rose, Louisiana, received an unsolicited package of seeds.

"Right now, we are uncertain what types of seeds are in the package. Out of caution, we are urging anyone who receives a package that was not ordered by the recipient, to please call the LDAF immediately," said Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain, D.V.M. "We need to identify the seeds to ensure they do not pose a risk to Louisiana's agricultural industry or the environment."

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture also issued a notification that the types of seeds in the packages are unknown at this time and may contain some invasive plant species.

Some have suggested that the shipments are a "brushing" campaign, a technique sometimes used in e-commerce to boost a seller's ratings by creating fake orders.

"Whatever the reason for these mailings, it's important to use caution when it comes to unidentified seeds," said South Carolina Department of Agriculture Assistant Commissioner Derek Underwood, who oversees the agency's Consumer Protection Division. His statement came in a news statement warning about the shipments.

The states ask that you follow these steps if receiving an unsolicited package containing seeds:

-- Do not open the seed packets or handle the seeds.

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-- Do not plant unidentified seeds. They may be invasive species that could displace or destroy native ecosystems.

-- Do not discard the seed in the trash.

-- Retain the seeds and packaging and put them in a zip-top bag to deliver to regulatory authorities.

Don Robison, of the Indiana State Chemist Office, said it is important those receiving the packets do not simply throw them away. "We want to identify what they are and sending them to a landfill is the equivalent of planting them by placing them into soil and moisture," Robison told DTN. He urged those receiving unsolicited seed packages to contact state authorities.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a statement acknowledging that they are aware that people across the country have received unsolicited packages of seed from China in recent days. "APHIS is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection and State departments of agriculture to prevent the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protect U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds," their statement read.

For a state-by-state directory of National Plant Board: https://nationalplantboard.org/… or contact APHIS State plant health director at

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/…

The Association of American Seed Control Officials (AASCO): http://www.seedcontrol.org/…

Some states have issued direct contact information regarding this situation:

Arkansas Plant Industries Division, 501-225-1598 or:

Paul Shell Paul.shell@agriculture.arkansas.gov

Mark Stoll Mark.stoll@agriculture.arkansas.gov

Scott Bray Scott.bray@agriculture.arkansas.gov

Indiana State Chemist Office, 765-494-1492, https://www.oisc.purdue.edu/…

Louisiana Department of Agriculture, 225-925-4733 to arrange for a LDAF inspectors to collect the seeds and test them for positive identification.

Kentucky Department of Agriculture, 502-573-0282 or ag.web@ky.gov

Ohio Department of Agriculture, submit a form here: https://agri.ohio.gov/…

Virginia Department of Agriculture, Office of Plant Industry Services (OPIS) through the ReportAPest@vdacs.virginia.gov email.

Pamela Smith can be reached at pamela.smith@dtn.com

Follow her on Twitter @PamSmithDTN

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Pamela Smith

Pamela Smith
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