More Than 100 RI Residents Mailed Suspect Seeds From China

PROVIDENCE, RI — More than 100 Rhode Island residents have reported receiving unsolicited packages of seeds from China, according to the RI Department of Environmental Management, which asked that residents do not open, handle or plant the seeds.

The RI DEM said it is working with the US Department of Agriculture Plant Protection and Quarantine office to respond to the mailings and determine whether they are a potential harmful, invasive species or a generic scam.

"When unlabeled seeds enter the country without evidence of being inspected and certified, there is an increased risk that they may produce invasive or noxious weeds or harbor plant pests that could threaten agriculture or the natural environment," said Matt Green, an environmental scientist in DEM's Division of Agriculture. "DEM and USDA are working closely to safeguard agriculture and protect the environment and consumers while facilitating trade and movement of agricultural products."

Anyone who receives the seeds is asked not to plant the seeds and not to throw them away, keep the seeds in the original packaging, keep all labeling and envelopes that came with the seeds, do not open the package, wash hands if the package is opened and mail the seeds to the USDA.

Residents are asked to make a report to the DEM and include a name, address, email address and phone number by calling 401-222-2781 ext. 4516 or via email DEM.SPRO@dem.ri.gov.

They are then asked to place the seeds in a Ziploc bag and mail the seeds, along with related materials, to: USDA APHIS PPQ, 97 Barnes Road, Unti 200, Wallingford, Conn., 06492.

Those who have planted the seeds are asked to await guidance from the USDA on how to dispose of the seed and associated soil. Do not dig them up and place them in a compost pile.

The USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to US agriculture or the environment.

All seeds collected will be incinerated.