Stanislaus agriculture official warns of mysterious seeds mailed to homes from China
Stanislaus County residents should watch their mail for unexpected packages of seed that could pose a threat to the landscape.
The seeds appear to have come from China and have turned up in various parts of the United States, county Agricultural Commissioner Milton O’Haire said in an email Tuesday.
He and other officials warn that the seeds could be an invasive species that damages farms and other property.
“Do not open the package or plant them,” O’Haire said. “These seeds have not gone through the proper channels to be imported into the U.S. and may contain invasive seed plant species.”
About a dozen Stanislaus residents had reported shipments as of Wednesday.
People who receive the seeds should contact their county agricultural commissioner. The number for Stanislaus is 209-525-4730.
A couple theories about the seeds
Twitter and Facebook postings last week suggested that the seeds might be a plot by China stemming from recent trade and defense disputes, the New York Daily News reported.
Or it could be a brushing scam, “where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales,” the federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services said Tuesday. It is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents to determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment,” APHIS said.
The envelopes bear the insignia of China’s postal service. Some are labeled as jewelry.
Always on watch for threats to ag
Invasive species can harm farms, rangeland, parks and other areas by competing for water and nutrients. Stanislaus is among the nation’s leaders in food and beverage production.
O’Haire said his staff routinely looks for invasive species that might be shipped to U.S. Postal Service centers, Amazon, feed and seed mills, and other locations.
“We greatly appreciate the public’s help in keeping these illegal and potentially dangerous seeds out of our county,” he said.
This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 2:17 PM.
