Texas – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller gave an important update on the ongoing issue of unsolicited seed packages arriving in the state from Chinese vendors. So far, Texas has received a total of 17 seed packets, with similar packages also reported in Florida and Washington State.
Commissioner Miller is working closely with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Acting Secretary of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security to collect these packages safely. The goal is to ensure they are delivered to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for thorough inspection.
“We’re still seeing more mystery seeds from China showing up in Texas,” Miller said. “We are working closely with our partners at USDA, APHIS, the White House, and the Department of Homeland Security to protect our state’s biosecurity. Thanks to Texans reporting these packages, we can monitor the situation closely and take swift action to protect our agriculture and natural resources. If you receive seeds you didn’t order, don’t open them—report them immediately.”
The contents of these packages will be destroyed through steam sterilization at no cost to the recipients. APHIS will work with U.S. Customs to identify similar mail packages originating from the same sources.
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) urges anyone who receives a foreign package containing seeds not to open it. Instead, they should keep the contents sealed and contact the TDA toll-free at (800) TELL-TDA to report it.
