Chinese seeds may pose threat

  • Georgia residents have notified officials of received packages from China containing unknown seeds. A package a resident has received is shown above.
    Georgia residents have notified officials of received packages from China containing unknown seeds. A package a resident has received is shown above.

    The Georgia Department of Agriculture has been notified of Georgia residents receiving random packages containing seeds that appear to have come from China.

    Packages have been noted as being mislabeled as “jewelry” and may have Chinese writing on them.

    The types of seeds in the packages are unknown at this time, but may be an invasive plant species.

    “At this time, we are not sure what the seeds are and therefore are urging everyone to be exceedingly vigilant,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black says. “If you have received one of these packages in the mail, please use extreme caution by not touching the contents and securing the package in a plastic bag.”

    Anyone who receives one of these packages are urged to mail the seeds to Tifton Seed Lab, P.O. Box 1507 3150 U.S. Hwy. 41 South, Tifton, Georgia, 31793.

    Those who are not Georgia residents, but receive a package like this, should contact the United States Department of  Agriculture or their local Extension Office.