State agriculture officials have an update on those unsolicited packages of seeds that some residents received in the mail from China.
“According to our contacts at the USDA, so far, there have been very few weeds or species containing diseases which is good news. Anytime a foreign specimen is introduced, there is always a chance it may pose a risk to the agricultural industry or the environment and that is why it is so important we identify what is in the packages,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain, D.V.M.
At this time, there have been approximately 400 specimens received in Louisiana and turned over to the USDA. Approximately 16,000 specimens have been received nationwide and about 5,000 species of seeds that have been identified.
The USDA reports 44 countries of origin have been identified and e-commerce companies such as Amazon, eBay and Etsy continue to work with the USDA on restrictions in selling foreign seeds or plants.
If you receive unsolicited seeds, visit the LDAF website athttps://www.ldaf.state.la.us/news/unsolicited-seeds-from-china/ [ldaf.state.la.us] and fill out an online collection form or call 225-925-4733. LDAF inspectors will collect the seeds and the USDA will test them for positive identification.
