The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries has created a website where consumers can report if they receive suspicious, unsolicited packages of seeds from China.
Yellowhammer News first detailed on Monday the recent surge in consumers receiving the mysterious seed packets, which Ag Commissioner Rick Pate says may be “dangerous to livestock.”
“Currently there is not any evidence indicating this is something other than a ‘brushing scam’ where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales,” advised the Department in a release on Tuesday afternoon.
The agency continued that it is “currently collecting seed packages from recipients and is testing their contents for unknown compounds, noxious weed seed, and invasive species.”
“This testing will determine if they contain anything that could negatively impact U.S. agriculture or the environment,” the organization added.
The Department of Agriculture asks that any consumer who receives the packets stores them in a safe place and does not open the packaging. They also ask that consumers do not alter in any way the mailing label that came on the shipment.
After a member of the public fills out the online form, the Department will contact them with further instructions.
The website to report the seeds can be accessed here.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95
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