Source: AMERICAN SEED TRADE ASSOCIATION, 9/9/20

ASTA Members,
Yesterday, ASTA staff had the opportunity to meet with APHIS officials to receive an update on the investigation into the unsolicited seed shipments received across the U.S. APHIS is aware of more than 20,000 reports of people receiving unsolicited seed shipments, and the agency has received more than 10,000 packages for testing. To date, more than 3,000 packages have been tested and more than 4,000 different types of seed have been identified. APHIS has confirmed that over 95% of the packages came from China. It's also worth noting that these unsolicited seed shipments have been reported by other countries in addition to the U.S.

During the ongoing testing process, APHIS has identified a number of seed types, primarily including: fruits, vegetables and herbs, in addition to some ornamentals and weeds. Pospiviroids, potato spindle tuber viroid, larvae of various beetles, and some noxious weeds have also been identified.

APHIS has reached out to Chinese counterparts to provide information on its findings. It is also working with e-commerce companies on measures to prevent this issue from happening in the future. Effective September 3, Amazon will remove listings for live plants and seeds for planting that are offered and fulfilled by non-U.S. residents. Beginning on September 30, 2020, Amazon will remove listings for live plants and seeds for planting that are offered by non-U.S. residents who are using Fulfillment by Amazon and have an inventory in one of Amazon's fulfillment centers. APHIS expects that other e-commerce companies will follow Amazon's lead. Additionally, while APHIS still believes the unsolicited seeds were sent as part of a brushing scam, other government agencies are involved from a homeland security standpoint.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ric Dunkle at rdunkle@betterseed.org.

Thanks,
The ASTA Team