Have any Milton Keynes residents received strange seeds sent in the post from China?

    Photo: Abc13

    People around the world have reported receiving mystery plant seeds in the post, and now officials are questioning the reasoning behind it.

    These unsolicited packages are often marked as jewellery on the packing label so are not declared as seeds and do not go through the necessary plant health and custom checks for imported plant material.

    Tens of thousands of households across the world, from Eastbourne to Florida, have received these strange seeds in the past week alone which begs the question... have you received some in Milton Keynes?

    It has been reported that these packages have sparked biosecurity concerns, and now international investigations are taking place into their origin.

    However, the US Department of Agriculture believes that the packages are just part of an online scam. The scam, called 'brushing', is where people are randomly sent a package in the post with the sender hoping that the individual in turn will post a false customer review to boost sales. 

    Officials had previously warned that because most of the seeds are unknown, they could possibly be invasive plant species. At least 14 species of the plant seeds had been identified so far, proving to be rather harmless, according to Deputy Administrator Osama El-Lissy of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Identified seeds reportedly include mint, sage, lavender, roses and cabbage. 

    Although the seeds may be completely safe, recipients are still urged NOT to plant them. 

    Those who have received strange seeds in the UK have been asked to send them to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha). Apha is carrying out tests on the seed samples and those who have received seeds by post are encouraged to email planthealth.info@apha.gov.uk.

    If you have received the seeds, get in touch with MKFM on Facebook, Twitter, or email news@mkfm.com.

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