NFUS – don’t plant mystery seeds sent as part of scam
NFU Scotland has added its voice to a growing list of organisations warning the public not to plant or compost unsolicited seeds received through the post – but to report the issue to either the Animal and Plant Health Agency or to Scotland’s Plant Health Centre.
And while the samples of unidentified and often mixed seeds are believed to be part of an online scam exercise, there are fears that if allowed to grow the seeds could prove to be either of invasive species – or the carriers of diseases which could affect British plants and crops and damage Scotland’s high health plant stock.
Urging the public to only buy seeds and plants from a trusted supplier, the union said that there had been widespread reports in the UK – and around the world – of gardeners and others receiving unsolicited parcels, allegedly from China, that contained unidentified seeds.
The official advice from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is for anyone receiving seeds by post that they didn’t order to email details to: planthealth.info@apha. gov.uk.
“Biosecurity is of vital importance and we have robust checks in place to protect our plants and wildlife, including for online plant sales,” said an APHA spokesperson yesterday.
She said the items had been entering the country under the guise of being something else – such as jewellery – in order to avoid vital plant health and customs checks that would normally apply to imported plant material.
“We are currently investigating packages of seeds marked as ‘ear studs’ sent to people in the UK. Anyone who has received such seeds should not plant them and instead report them to us.”
The APHA warned not plant or compost the seeds – as it was possible they could be carrying pests or diseases which could threaten homegrown crops or the environment.
While the agency is conducting tests on seed samples, it is also investigating the possibility of the exercise being a “brushing scam” – where people receive low value unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales.
The scam involves people sending unsolicited items to people via fake customer accounts – thus generating a transaction, which allows them to leave a positive review on their websites, potentially boosting their business.
But while the United State agriculture department (USDA) yesterday said it had identified samples of the seeds as being of common plants, warnings have been issued against growing them across 50 states.
Commenting on the mystery seeds, NFU Scotland’s horticultural chair, James Porter, said that Scotland had an enviable reputation for producing high health, hardy plants – whether that be trees, nursery stock, cereals, oilseeds, soft fruit, bulbs, vegetables or potatoes:
“The arrival of seeds of unknown quality or health places that at risk and I urge anyone who receives these unsolicited parcels to notify APHA.
“Putting these seeds in the ground or into compost bins risks introducing new disease threats and invasive species that could threaten the many healthy plants and species we grow here,” warned Porter.