By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor
In a year full of strange twists and unexpected events, “mystery seeds” can now be added to the list of oddities.
American residents, including Texans, have been receiving unsolicited, unidentified packets of seeds with Chinese text printed on them, according to multiple state departments of agriculture.
The small packages often arrive in the mail with labels indicating the contents are jewelry or other small items, but when the recipient opens the package, they find packets of seeds instead.
Although it may be tempting to plant the seeds to see what sprouts, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said it’s a bad idea.
The seeds may be those of invasive plant species or may have been treated with harmful soil pathogens or other plant or animal diseases.
“I am urging folks to take this matter seriously,” Miller said in a statement. “An invasive plant species might not sound threatening, but these small invaders could destroy Texas agriculture. Texas Department of Agriculture has been working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to analyze these unknown seeds, so we can protect Texas residents.”
Invasive species can destroy native crops and may be dangerous for livestock to ingest, Miller added.
The Whitehouse Police Department in Whitehouse, Ohio, said the packages appear to be part of an online scam called “brushing.”
“A brushing scam is an exploit by a vendor used to bolster product ratings and increase visibility online by shipping an inexpensive product to an unwitting receiver and then submitting positive reviews on the receiver’s behalf under the guise of a verified owner,” the department said in a statement.
But the sending of unsolicited, unmarked seeds from other countries is illegal in the U.S.
To prevent the spread of invasive species or imported disease, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requires the importer of any plants or animals into the U.S. to obtain regulatory permits prior to shipping these items.
Mailing or shipping plants and plant products to the U.S. without a transit permit is considered “agricultural smuggling.”
Do not open unexpected packets of seeds.
Any such package should be immediately reported to APHIS at sitc.mail@aphis.usda.gov or by calling 800.877.3835.
More information can be found here.
[…] Although it may be tempting to plant the seeds to see what sprouts—the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk comes to mind—Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said it’s a bad idea. […]
Anybody that trust anything that China does, is a FOOL!
It would be nice if you told us what you want done with these seeds. Of course we know not to plant them. But if thrown away it would have same effect. What’s to be done? Seems them back?
The story states that any such package should be immediately reported to APHIS at sitc.mail@aphis.usda.gov or by calling 800.877.3835.