AUSTIN—Texas residents are now among those across the nation receiving mysterious seeds delivered by mail in tiny bags marked as jewelry
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is urging Texans to take extreme precautions when receiving unsolicited seed packets from China.
According to the commissioner, the packets have been mailed to multiple states, including Texas, falsely labeled as jewelry.
“I am urging folks to take this matter seriously,” Commissioner Miller said.
“An invasive plant species might not sound threatening, but these small invaders could destroy Texas agriculture. TDA has been working closely with USDA to analyze these unknown seeds so we can protect Texas residents,” he said.
According to the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, anyone who receives a foreign package containing seeds should not open it. The contents should be kept in their original sealed package.
The USDA said last week it was collecting the seeds and would test them to determine if they were a concern to agriculture or the environment.
However, the department said it has no evidence the shipments are something other than a “brushing scam.”
A brushing scam is one in which people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales.
But since the packets could contain harmful invasive species or be otherwise unsafe, state and federal officials said residents are advised not to plant the seeds.
“We don’t know what kind of seeds they are,” said Dr. Kevin Ong with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service.
“Not knowing what the seeds are could potentially open our agriculture industry up to noxious weeds. If that proves to be the case, if they take hold, they could impact agriculture negatively,” Dr. Ong said.
“Do not simply discard these seeds as they can potentially germinate and escape into nature,” Dr. Ong said. “All cases should be reported to USDA and all packages should be kept secure until USDA gives further instructions.”
Anyone who received an unsolicited seed package should report it to SITC. Mail@aphis.usda.gov.
The seeds have been reported in the mail of Texans. Among those to receive such a package last week was McKinney gardener Casey Cutler.
“I just knew that I was going to get them because I’m a gardener and I would be the lucky person to receive seeds,” said Cutler with a laugh.
Cutler held onto the seeds and contacted the Texas Department of Agriculture, which is urging people not to plant them or throw them in the trash.
The exact motivation for the packages remains under investigation but both the state authorities and the Better Business Bureau said it, like the USDA, suspect it is part of a “brushing” scheme.
Cutler said she hopes more people educate themselves on what to do if they receive a seed package.
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