Unsolicited seeds

[mothhawk]

This is the first time I've seen this in the news. There is a flood of unsolicited seeds, allegedly originating in China, that arrive in a package by post labelled as ear studs. They are being delivered across numerous countries to ordinary household addresses. In the UK, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) is investigating reports of similar shipments across the country, and is warning people NOT to plant them because of the biosecurity risk. The seeds are not named, and looking at images on the net, not all the same types of seed.

So take care folks, if you have received "gift" seeds and can't identify who they are from, report them to APHA or DEFRA. DON'T plant them.

[Nicos]

Oh gosh -Thanks for the warning MH

[burnie]

Stuck this for now, so everyone sees it.

[mothhawk]

Thanks, Burnie.

[ameno]

That's very peculiar. What is their goal in sending them?

[Nicos]

It appears to be part of something called a 'brushing scam'

Meaning somehow the companies use the recipients details to falsely inflate their ratings and importance...and presumably up their share prices?

The problem as far as we are concerned is ,as MH quite rightly says, the biosecurity worries.

[Plot70]

It could be to introduce some kind of invasive species.
If some turn up there may be some value in getting a batch sent off to a lab for analysis.

[Snoop Puss]

Biosecurity concerns, absolutely. But also personal security concerns too. I'd never heard of 'brushing scams' so had to look it up. This is a useful article:

https://www.eadt.co.uk/business/suff...scam-1-5885434

[Jay22]

Just a heads up for everyone. If you receive these unsolicited seeds to contact the following email...seems to be a serious concern!!

PlantHealth.Info@apha.gov.uk