What to do with those unsolicited seeds from China?
New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture warns the seeds could be invasive or harm local plants or livestock.
| 04 Aug 2020 | 02:51
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has been receiving reports of people receiving seeds in the mail from China that they did not order. Sometimes the seeds are sent in packages stating that the contents are jewelry. Unsolicited seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock.
This is known as agricultural smuggling, the agriculture department says. Here’s what to do if you receive unsolicited seeds from another country:
• Do not plant them. If they are in a sealed package, don’t open the package.
• Take photos of the package and seeds and send the photos to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture at joseph.zoltowski@ag.nj.gov and U.S. Department of Agriculture at SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov.
• Maintain the seeds and packaging and send to the USDA Office located at 1500 Lower Road, Linden NJ 07036 for evidence.
To report the smuggling of prohibited exotic fruits, vegetables, or meat products into the U.S., call the confidential anti-smuggling hotline number at 800-877-3835 or email SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov