People in multiple US states and the UK are being mailed mysterious (not ordered) packets of seed from China - Don't open

[Emily]

https://www.bigcountrynewsconnection...2698cf639.html

WA Department of Agriculture Receives Reports of Residents Being Mailed Unsolicited Seeds From China

• Jul 24, 2020Updated 7 hrs ago

...
The WSDA says these particular seeds shown in the photos, were not ordered at all, and appear to be purposely mislabeled to get through customs.

The Department says unsolicited seeds could be invasive, and introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock. If you do receive unsolicited seeds from another country, here is what you should do:

• DO NOT plant them and if they are in sealed packaging (as shown in photo), don't open the sealed package.
• This is known as agricultural smuggling. Report it to the USDA and maintain the seeds and packaging until USDA instructs you what to do with the packages and seeds. They may be needed as evidence.

https://www.newsweek.com/utah-reside...-china-1520243

There are regulations as to which plants and seeds can be imported into and sold in Utah. Since the delivery, a representative from the Utah Department of Agriculture picked up Culley's seeds to have them tested. The department may also get assistance from Customs and Border Protection agents to investigate the mysterious seeds.

Culley said this is not the first time people have been mailed unidentified seeds. She researched online and found people in the U.K. had been sent something similar.

"There was an article that I found in the U.K. saying this has been happening over there, and they are bad seeds, they are invasive," Culley said. "I hope that it's nothing too serious... don't throw them in the garbage. Don't plant them. Don't touch them."

https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news...s-do-not-plant

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8535661/Hundreds-British-gardeners-receive-unsolicited-deliveries-garden-seeds-sent-China.html?fbclid=IwAR3Z4Y38CIiygGMWfH9JWzHhCqoJiniSG-jKbdsJA_HG5u-aiaUiIh5PNNc

Hundreds of British gardeners 'receive unsolicited deliveries of garden seeds sent from China marked as ear studs'

• Hundreds of British gardeners received unsolicited deliveries of Chinese seeds
• Horticulturalists have warned people not to plant the extra seeds in their garden
• The Royal Horticultural Society says importing plants and seeds poses risks
• New pests and diseases could result from these unwanted seeds in the UK

By Richard Marsden for the Daily Mail

Published: 19:50 EDT, 17 July 2020 | Updated: 07:00 EDT, 18 July 2020

[Emily]

Two more states:

https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/whitehouse-police-warns-residents-of-foreign-package-arriving-in-the-mail/512-8270f7ec-2512-497c-961c-5214a65a39ca

Whitehouse police warn residents of foreign package arriving in the mail
The department says these packages from China are arriving all over the country through mail.
Author: WTOL Staff
Published: 12:44 PM EDT July 25, 2020
Updated: 1:21 PM EDT July 25, 2020

WHITEHOUSE, Ohio — The Whitehouse Police Department is warning residents of a possible dangerous package arriving in the mail from China.

A Whitehouse resident received a package in the mail with a return address in China that was labeled as containing jewelry but was found to have a small bag of what looks like seeds, according to police...

https://www.kplctv.com/2020/07/24/mystery-seeds-china-delivered-louisiana-resident/?fbclid=IwAR1JzK4to6kL4VE22HI9oIMCwDvDxoF0wxjnbFpR2hmklpCVPzxkF7i3xuU

By Caroline Habetz | July 24, 2020 at 9:35 PM CDT - Updated July 24 at 9:35 PM
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) -A St. Rose resident received an unsolicited package Friday; the package contained seeds originating from China.
...
“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...

[Pathfinder]

Mystery seeds delivered to Louisiana resident

July 24, 2020 Baton Rouge, La. (July 24, 2020) ? Today, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) was notified that a resident in St. Rose, La. received an unsolicited package of seeds originating from China.

At this time, recent reports indicate that unsolicited packages of seeds have been received by people in Utah, Virginia, Washington and the United Kingdom.

?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 number to call is 225-925-4733. LDAF inspectors will collect the seeds and test them for positive identification.


https://www.ldaf.state.la.us/news/my...iana-resident/

[Emily]

I highlighted the brushing scam theory in red. Certainly do NOT plant the seeds, but there have been global seed shortages due to all the new gardeners the shutdown has created. That created new business opportunities.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8560549/Seed-packets-mislabeled-jewelry-mailed-dozens-Americans-six-states-China.html

Packets of seeds from China mislabeled as jewelry are mailed to Americans in six different states

• Residents in at least six U.S. states have received unsolicited and unidentified seed packages from China
• Agriculture officials issued warnings in Washington, Virginia, Utah, Kansas, Louisiana and Arizona
• Some of the packages are mislabeled as jewelry and have Chinese writing
• Officials warned the seeds 'could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock'
• One person suggested the numerous incidents could be part of a 'brushing' e-commerce scam
• The US Customs and Border Protection may reportedly work with Utah officials to investigate
• Mysterious seed packages from China have also been sent to the hundreds of gardeners in the United Kingdom

By Lauren Edmonds and Richard Marsden for the Daily Mail

Published: 21:24 EDT, 25 July 2020 | Updated: 21:45 EDT, 25 July 2020

[Emily]

https://k2radio.com/wyoming-reports-farmers-have-received-mysterious-seeds-from-china/

Wyoming Reports Farmers Have Received Mysterious Seeds from China

Doc Holliday
July 26, 202

The Wyoming Department of Agriculture shared on Facebook that they have also received reports of these mysterious seeds...

Read More: Wyoming Reports Farmers Have Received Mysterious Seeds from China | https://k2radio.com/wyoming-reports-...edium=referral

https://sputniknews.com/us/202007251079982749-biological-warfare-twitter-panics-as-residents-of-us-states-receive-mysterious-chinese-seeds/

‘Biological Warfare?’ Twitter Panics as Residents of US States Receive Mysterious Chinese Seeds
? Photo : Twitter / @WSDAgov
US16:07 GMT 25.07.2020(updated 19:38 GMT 25.07.2020)
...
Plant and insect-based biological warfare is a real phenomenon. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc states accused the CIA of deliberately introducing the invasive Colorado potato beetle in Eastern Europe in a bid to undermine the region’s food security. North Korea and China similarly claimed that the US engaged in insect-based biological warfare during the Korean War of 1950-1953, although US officials have contested those allegations. The US is also known to have conducted experiments in the air-dropping fleas and mosquitos to determine if they could serve as an effective spreader of disease. The USSR had its own entomological warfare program concentrated around ticks...

[Pathfinder]

USDA Investigates Packages of Unsolicited Seeds from China

Last Modified: Jul 28, 2020

Media Contact:
Cecilia Sequeira (301) 851-4054
K.cecilia.sequeira@usda.gov


USDA is aware that people across the country have received suspicious, unsolicited packages of seed that appear to be coming from China. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection, other federal agencies, and State departments of agriculture to investigate the situation.

USDA urges anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds to immediately contact their State plant regulatory official or APHIS State plant health director. Please hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label, until someone from your State department of agriculture or APHIS contacts you with further instructions. Do not plant seeds from unknown origins.

At this time, we don’t have any evidence indicating this is something other than a “brushing scam” where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment.

USDA is committed to preventing the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protecting U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds. Visit the APHIS’ website to learn more about USDA’s efforts to stop agricultural smuggling and promote trade compliance.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/new...07/seeds-china

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on July 28, 2020
...

Reuters: The US Department of Agriculture warned US residents not to plant unsolicited packages of seeds that arrived from China because they could be invasive species that could threaten crops or livestock. Do you have any comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: I've noticed that the news has received some attention in the US and beyond.

I want to point out that plant seeds are articles prohibited as imports (or in transit) or admitted conditionally for UPU member countries. China Post strictly follows the UPU provisions and prohibits seeds from conveyance by post. USPS recently found some packages of seeds with address labels suggesting they were sent from China. After verification with China Post, those address labels turned out to be fake ones with erroneous layouts and entries. China Post has contacted USPS, asking it to send those fake packages to China for investigation.

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/t1801757.shtml

[Emily]

I hope China Post and USPS work together to solve this mystery. It might be more worrisome if the packages aren't really from China since the e-commerce brushing scam theory wouldn't make sense in that case.

[Emily]

https://www.texastribune.org/2020/07/29/texas-seeds-china-mail/

At least 187 Texans received mystery seeds mailed from China. State officials warn they shouldn't be planted.
Officials are unsure of the motive behind the unsolicited packets but suspect that they are part of an online scam.

by Reese Oxner July 29, 20205:28 PM
...
“These are highly illegal. Don’t plant them. Don’t mess around with them,” Miller said. “Treat them like they’re radioactive or like Kryptonite.”..

[Pathfinder]

Oregon Department of Agriculture

Unsolicited Seeds from China

NEWS RELEASE, UNCATEGORIZED
JULY 29TH, 2020
27 VIEWS

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is aware that people across the country, including Oregon, are receiving unsolicited packages of seed from China in recent days. Often the package is labeled as jewelry and the recipients say they did not order jewelry or seeds.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is warning Americans not to plant the unsolicited package of seeds. ODA is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspections Service (APHIS) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection on this issue. The goal is to collect the seeds and test them to determine if they are a concern to agriculture or the environment.

Anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds from China should immediately contact their state department of agriculture or the APHIS state plant health director and follow these steps:

• Save the seeds and the package they came in, including the mailing label.
• Do not open the seed packets.
• Do not plant any of the seeds.
• If the packets are already opened, place all materials (seeds and packaging) into a zip lock bag and seal it.
• If the seeds have been planted, leave the seeds/plants in the ground until you receive further instruction from your state department of agriculture or APHIS.

In Oregon, if you have received a package of seeds that you did not order, please include the packaging that includes the return address and send the shipment to:



Oregon Department of Agriculture

Plant Protection and Conservation

635 Capitol Street NE, Suite 100

Salem, Oregon 97301



If you have already opened the seed package, please place the entire package in a plastic bag and seal it and then send it to ODA. Do not plant any of the seeds. If you already planted the seeds, please contact Dr. Helmuth Rogg, ODA Plant Programs Director at 503-986-4662 or hrogg@oda.state.or.us.



To reach APHIS please call 1-844-820-2234 or email CustomerServiceCallCenter@aphis.usda.gov.

https://odanews.wpengine.com/unsolic...ds-from-china/

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DC Gardener Receives Several Packets of Suspicious Seeds From China

By Pat Collins and NBCWashington Staff • Published 38 mins ago • Updated 38 mins ago
NBC Universal, Inc.

A D.C. woman says she’s received six packets of mysterious seeds in packages appearing to be from China over the past few weeks.
...
“I’ve actually talked to residents of at least 15 other states,” said Michael Wallace of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“All are stating that they have received these seeds that have no identification,” he said. “They were not ordered. They were not wanted. It was just something that came in the mail.”
...

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-gardener-receives-several-packets-of-suspicious-seeds-from-china/2376364/

[JJackson]

This story has been running for a week. What are the seeds, do they contain any plant pathogens. If they were any kind of threat some government botanist should have answered these questions by now.

[Pathfinder]

ENVIRONMENTJULY 31, 2020 / 6:34 AM / UPDATED 7 HOURS AGO

Morning glories and mustard: U.S. investigates unsolicited seed mystery

Christopher Walljasper
4 MIN READ

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The U.S. Agriculture Department has identified more than a dozen plant species ranging from morning glories to mustard in bags of unsolicited seeds arriving in the mailboxes of thousands of Americans, mostly postmarked from China.
...
While most species identified seem to be innocuous herbs, flowering plants, vegetables or grasses, plant experts warn that seeds from other parts of the world could be non-native varieties that harm commodity crops.

Another concern is what appears to be an unknown coating, possibly insecticide or fungicide on the seeds, said Robin Pruisner, state seed control official at the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in Iowa, the top U.S. corn growing state.
...
“I’ve had people describe to me that the seeds are coated with something purple. I haven’t had it in my hands yet, but it sounds an awful lot like a seed treatment,” she said.
...

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-seeds/morning-glories-and-mustard-u-s-investigates-unsolicited-seed-mystery-idUSKCN24W1R7

[Emily]

Another concern is what appears to be an unknown coating, possibly insecticide or fungicide on the seeds, said Robin Pruisner, state seed control official at the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in Iowa, the top U.S. corn growing state.

Certainly sounds dangerous to handle seeds from an unknown source or even a known source that doesn't disclose treatment chemicals. The purple color is likely added as a warning, but the treatments could be present without the dye marker.

https://www.agriculture.com/news/cro...seed_2-ar31224

ByJeff Caldwell
4/30/2013
As you plant this spring -- something you'll likely be in a rush to do after weeks of rain delays and inclement conditions -- don't overlook important safety precautions when handling treated seed as you hustle to load the planter.
Most all seed planted nowadays is treated with a pesticide of some kind. Though those chemicals are designed to target specific pests -- whether insect, nematode or fungus -- harm can come to the human handler if you're not protected, says University of Minnesota Extension crops specialist Lizabeth Stahl.
"Although growers may be more familiar with checking an herbicide or insecticide label for the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear when handling a product, every bag of treated seed will also list the proper PPE to be worn when handling the treated seed," Stahl says. "Wearing the appropriate PPE will help reduce or prevent pesticide exposure when working with treated seed."...

[Pathfinder]

USDA Investigates Packages of Unsolicited Seeds from China

Last Modified: Jul 31, 2020

July 31, 2020: USDA Shares Q and A about Seed Packages Sent to U.S. Residents

July 31, 2020: USDA Shares link to flickr photos here: https://t.co/JGRpzluKDi?amp=1

July 30, 2020: USDA Shares Update On Seed Packages Sent to U.S. Residents


...
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/new...07/seeds-china

[Emily]

In the video the man says the plant "started growing crazy." It looks like a giant squash.

https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/arkansas-man-plants-seeds-from-china/527-2e9862ef-4b4e-4dc2-8d90-53e0c1fd0a24

Author: Bailey Devane
Published: 4:34 PM CDT July 31, 2020
Updated: 1:10 PM CDT August 3, 2020
Booneville man plants mysterious seeds from China being sent across the U.S.

BOONEVILLE, Ark. — The U.S Department of Agriculture is warning people to watch out for unsolicited packages of seeds shipped from China.

Experts are concerned the seeds could be an invasive species and are warning people not to plant them.

RELATED: Unsolicited packages of seeds mailed to Arkansans from China

Before word got out, a man in Booneville planted the seeds and they've been growing in his garden for two months. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is unsure what kind of plant it is and plans to remove it.


"We brought them down here and planted the seeds just to see what would happen, every two weeks I'd come by and put miracle grow on it and they just started growing like crazy," said Doyle Crenshaw...