- States warn residents about the unsolicited seed packages delivery that have spread around the world.
- The USDA collects the packages to test seeds inside for anything of concern.
- Preliminary findings note no indication of the seeds carrying pests or diseases.
- USDA suspects a “brushing scam” and with other agencies working to target, detect, intercept and prevent the entry of these potential threats before any harm is caused.
Mystery seeds delivered to U.S. mailboxes from shippers in China and other countries have spread around the world, says an article published in The Wall Street Journal.
Unsolicited packages of seeds
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said nearly consumers in 22 U.S. states and several other countries received unsolicited packages of seeds. Canada, the U.K. and Australia are investigating the matter.
The USDA revealed the seed shipments were delivered to thousands of people across the U.S. in the mail they didn’t order.
Seeds under testing
States from Washington to Virginia have warned residents about the unsolicited packages. The USDA is collecting the packages and will test seeds inside for anything of concern.
State agriculture officials said that the unsolicited seed packages have been on the USDA’s radar since early June.
About the seeds delivered
Osama El-Lissy, a deputy administrator for USDA’s APHIS, said the agency has so far identified 14 different species of seeds, from mustard and morning glory to cabbage, rosemary and roses.
The state agricultural officials preliminary findings are:
- There is no indication any of the seeds carry pests or diseases.
- Seeds have been identified as both horticultural and weed seeds.
Brushing scam
USDA reiterated it has no evidence the packages are something other than a “brushing scam.”
What is a brushing scam?
In such scams, e-commerce vendors on online retailers pay “brushers” to place orders for vendors’ products, and packages with low-value or no contents are shipped to strangers. Brushers then pose as the buyers and post fake customer reviews to boost the vendor’s sales.
Investigation triggered
Multiple federal agencies are now investigating the seeds, from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection.
Online retail giant rejects brushing
“These appear to be delayed packages due to Covid-19, not brushing,” said a spokesperson for Amazon in a statement.
The company said it is working with its sellers, customers and government agencies to address concerns. USDA didn’t immediately comment.
Never ordered seeds!
Some recipients of the seed packages said they never ordered seeds from the online retailing giant, or had received all the seeds they ordered before receiving the unsolicited ones.
State agriculture officials said many people who reported receiving packages had never ordered any seeds.
“Ninety-nine percent ordered no seeds,” said Sid Miller, commissioner of Texas’ agriculture department.
Package collections under process
Mike Strain, Louisiana’s commissioner of agriculture and forestry, said two FBI agents visited his department on Wednesday to survey the more than 30 seed packages they have collected so far.
State inspectors are meanwhile working to collect hundreds more packages from Louisiana, sent from countries including China, Uzbekistan and the Solomon Islands.
Other recipients say packages were sent from the United Arab Emirates and other countries.
Authorities investigations and instructions
A spokesperson for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the agency is working closely with USDA and other agencies “to target, detect, intercept, and thereby prevent the entry of these potential threats before they have a chance to do any harm.”
Similar seizures
The spokesperson said CBP’s agriculture specialists on a typical day last year seized 4,695 prohibited plants, meats, animal byproducts, and soils and intercepted 314 insect pests from across the country.
Do not plant the seeds!
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency instructed Canadians who had received such packages not to plant the seeds.
Seeds with “ear studs” marking
The U.K. government said it has been investigating packages of seeds marked as “ear studs” that people there received over the last month. Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment said they were aware of the U.S. seed packages and were investigating whether the issue was occurring in Australia, a spokeswoman said.
Forged labels
China’s Foreign Ministry earlier this week said that mailing labels on the seed packages were forged, and that China has asked the U.S. to return the packages for investigation.
Threaten native plants
State agriculture officials say they are taking the situation seriously due to concerns the seeds could be from invasive plant species that might threaten native plants and crops, or potentially introduce diseases or harm livestock.
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Source: The Wall Street Journal
