The following message was released from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management:
Over the past several days the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has received reports from more than 100 Rhode Island residents who have received unsolicited packets of seeds from China. DEM is working in conjunction with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Protection and Quarantine Office to respond to this emerging issue.
“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.”
DEM is providing the following guidance to anyone who may have received these seeds:
Do not plant the seed and do not throw the seed away
Keep the seed in its original packaging
Keep all other original materials that came with the seed, such as labels and
