The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the FBI are warning the American public against planting unsolicited packages containing potentially poisoned or contaminated seeds from China.
Officials said that the seeds could be invasive species that threaten crops or livestock. Unsolicited seeds might be invasive species, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock. Invasive species cause environmental damage, displace or destroy native plants and insects, and severely damage crops.
In recent days, there have been at least eight reports from American citizens who received seed packages by mail without ordering anything. According to texts on the package, they originated from China.
Photos of packages posted on social media show seeds of various sizes, shapes, and colors arriving in white or yellow envelopes. Federal officials said some packages were labeled as jewelry and might contain Chinese writing.
“At this moment, we do not have enough information to know whether this is a hoax, a prank, an internet scam, or an act of agricultural bioterrorism,” said Ryan Quarles, Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture. The USDA stated it is aware that people across the country have recently received unsolicited seed packages from China.
The agency is working with the Department of Homeland Security and, according to a statement, is committed to protecting American agriculture and preventing the illegal entry of prohibited seeds.
Police indicated that it appears the seeds are connected to a scam where suppliers send cheap products to unsuspecting recipients and then post positive reviews online on behalf of the recipients. The Washington State Department of Agriculture said on Facebook that these shipments are “agricultural smuggling.” It has asked recipients to keep the seeds for the USDA as “they may be needed as evidence.”
These “unsolicited Chinese shipments” coincide with rising trade tensions between the United States and China. Initially, it appeared that China would import much more food and goods from the U.S. this year, but after President Trump blamed China for the coronavirus pandemic, little of that has materialized.