Mysterious seeds from China appear in mailboxes in US, govt issues warning

Team Udayavani, Jul 30, 2020, 3:04 PM IST

People across the US have received unsolicited packages containing seeds from China. Officials have issued warnings on these seeds and instructed recipients not to plant them

People who find seeds in the mail should keep the entire package, including the mailing label, and contact regional offices of the relevant government agency, where an inspector will give further instructions.

The officials are testing the seeds to evaluate their content and determine if they pose a risk to agriculture or the environment.

US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), tweeted saying, “ #APHIS is working closely with @CBP and State Depts of Ag re: unrequested seeds. If received, pls contact State Dept of Ag or the #APHIS State Plant Health Office. Keep packaging and do not plant seeds from an unknown origin!”

#APHIS is working closely with @CBP and State Depts of Ag re: unrequested seeds. If received, pls contact State Dept of Ag https://t.co/g0WhR57Wv3 or the #APHIS State Plant Health Office https://t.co/CdHtWghDbC. Keep packaging and do not plant seeds from an unknown origin! pic.twitter.com/LORKeTh4Tc

— USDA APHIS (@USDA_APHIS) July 27, 2020

Several state agricultural agencies are also issuing warnings, and posting pictures of suspicious packages on social media

If you receive seeds in the mail that you did not order, do not plant them. We are working with @USDA_APHIS to determine what should be done with these seeds. Double bag and hang onto them until we know more. And report to https://t.co/mcPSHYvqiA pic.twitter.com/okd8rZ11BB

— TN Dept. of Ag (@TNAgriculture) July 27, 2020

We have received reports of people receiving seeds from China that they did not order. If you receive them – don’t plant them. Report to @USDA_APHIS at https://t.co/0U53rbAiHs pic.twitter.com/Y4yAKv5bk7

— WA St Dept of Agr (@WSDAgov) July 24, 2020