Americans are receiving mysterious packages of seeds in their mail, pictured above, coming from China. The packages have not been purchased or requested USA Today reports that americans from 30 different states have received the packages including New York State.
“Our office has received questions from a few New Yorkers who have received unsolicited packages allegedly sent from China that are marked as containing jewelry but which actually contain plant seeds. Similar packages have been received in other states and the United States Department of Agriculture is investigating. People who receive seeds should not plant or handle the seeds. They should store them safely in a place children and pets cannot access and email USDA immediately at erich.l.glasgow@usda.gov for instructions. Seeds imported into the United States are rigorously tested to ensure quality and prevent introduction of invasive species, insects and diseases. We will continue to monitor this issue and will pass along guidance as it is received from USDA,” stated NY State Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is asking anyone who receives a package to mail the contents, along with their full name, phone number, pictures of the package to the NYS Department of Agriculture, 10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235. You can also call them at (518) 457-2087 or email at Christopher.Logue@agriculture.ny.gov.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection, continues to investigate. “Please hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label, until someone from your state department of agriculture or APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) contacts you with further instructions,” the statement said.
And Whatever you Do–DO NOT PLANT SEEDS FROM UNKNOWN
ORIGINS!
The latest update to this story from the USDA, “The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has identified 14 varieties of mysterious seeds purportedly sent from China to U.S. citizens who didn’t order them. The known varieties include rosemary, sage, mint and hibiscus. The common herbs hardly seem a threat, but APHIS maintains its warning—reiterated by all 50 states—that recipients of unsolicited seed shipments should not plant them.
Our main concern is the potential for these seeds to introduce damaging pests or diseases that could harm U.S. agriculture. The 14 seeds represent just a subset of the samples we have collected so far.
While it could be a hoax, the Chinese government claims that the labels which show the seeds being mailed from China are forged, be careful.
