Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller updated the public on unsolicited seed packages arriving from Chinese vendors. Texas has received 17 such packages, and similar reports have emerged from Florida and Washington State. Commissioner Miller is collaborating with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) acting Secretary of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security to safely collect these packages for inspection by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

“We’re still seeing more mystery seeds from China showing up in Texas,” said Commissioner Miller. “We are working closely with our partners at USDA, APHIS, the White House, and the Department of Homeland Security to protect our state’s biosecurity. Thanks to Texans reporting these packages, we can monitor the situation closely and take swift action to protect our agriculture and natural resources. If you receive seeds you didn’t order, don’t open them—report them immediately.”

The contents will be destroyed through steam sterilization at no cost to recipients. APHIS will share findings with U.S. Customs partners to identify similar mail packages.

Recipients of foreign seed packages should not open them but keep them sealed in their original packaging and contact TDA toll-free at (800) TELL-TDA.