MDA Asks Public To Report Receipt Of Any Unsolicited Packages Of Seeds
The Montana Department of Agriculture has received multiple reports from Montana residents that have received unsolicited packages containing seeds that appear to have been shipped from China. Individuals are urged to contact the department if they receive a package matching this description. Please contact the Seed Program at 406-444-3950 or bballensky@mt.gov.
If you receive a package of this type, DO NOT open the seed package or plant the seeds. It is also important that individuals also do not throw the seeds away. The types of seeds sent in these packages have not been identified yet.
Other states have also reported having received similar unsolicited packages through the mail. These unsolicited seeds could be invasive, meaning they may have the potential to introduce diseases to local plants or could be harmful to livestock. Instead, hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label.
MDA is awaiting official guidance from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on how to proceed with safe disposal of the mailed materials. This guidance will be shared on the department website at agr.mt.gov/news as soon as it is available.
“If anyone receives any unsolicited seeds, please do not plant them. We are uncertain at this time what the exact situation is or what the seeds are. Invasive weeds are a growing issue and severely impact our economy, as well as degrade our native ecosystem. The best option if you receive one of these packages is to contact USDA APHIS, the Montana Department of Agriculture or your extension agent,” said Jeffrey Chilson, MSU Extension agent for Roosevelt County. “Until we know more about this situation, we should treat these seed packets as a potential invasive species.” The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries. For more information on the Montana Department of Agriculture, visit agr. mt.gov.
