USDA Warns About Mystery Seeds in the Mail

Residents across the United States have reported receiving suspicious packages of seeds in the mail, seemingly originating in China. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection, other federal agencies, and State departments of agriculture to investigate. Mysterious packages of seeds have turned up in at least two dozen states across the US, as well as in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Researchers at APHIS have identified at least 14 varieties of plants - including cabbage, mustard, herbs, and flowers, such as morning glory and hibiscus. At present, the USDA has no evidence suggesting this is something other than a “brushing scam” - a marketing tactic used by sellers to send people unsolicited items and then post false customer reviews to boost sales. The USDA is concerned that the seeds might contain pests or diseases or harmful invasive species. According to Lee Van Wychen, Executive Director of Science Policy for the Weed Science Society of America, an AIBS member organization, the U.S. does not have much history of invasive plants coming in through uninvited mail. “But there are many instances of people ordering or bringing seeds/plant propagules with them from another country and they become invasive or noxious weeds,” said Van Wychen, according to E&E News. The USDA advises ever...
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news