Mystery seeds arrive in Australia from Asia sparking scary warning

Scores of mysterious packages have arrived at Aussie addresses, prompting authorities to warn of a possible biosecurity threat.

A bizarre trend has now reached Australian shores, with dozens of unsuspecting households finding packets of mysterious seeds in their mailboxes.

The packages have been finding their way across the globe in recent months, with similar cases reported in the UK, US, Europe and Canada.

While their exact origins are unknown, it is widely believed the seeds were sent from Asia.

Australian authorities and agriculture groups have warned the items could pose a serious biosecurity threat.

A Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment spokesman told news.com.au there had been 46 confirmed reports of unsolicited seeds arriving in Australia over the past five weeks, with one package arriving in the ACT, two in South Australia, two in Tasmania, four in Western Australia, seven in Victoria, and 15 each in Queensland and NSW.

The seed packets were predominantly sent in mail arriving from China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan, and while all packets of seeds were “unidentifiable”, investigations and identification of the seeds is ongoing.

The spokesman said seeds that did not meet Australia’s biosecurity import conditions could pose a “significant threat”, as they could be an exotic, noxious or invasive species, or be carrying harmful plant pathogens.

Mystery seeds from China: individuals in France have received mystery seed packets from China that they did not order. What should you do with them? ⬇️https://t.co/Tro1Citttt pic.twitter.com/AtoJYw8PCR

— The Connexion (@ConnexionFrance) August 24, 2020

If the seeds carried the tomato brown rugose fruit virus, for example, it could threaten an industry that has a value of $827 million dollars annually.

Seeds can also carry cucumber green mottle mosaic virus, which has caused huge crop losses for fruit farmers in Australia already.

“If you do receive seeds in the mail that you did not purchase, do not plant the seeds, or put them in the garbage. Secure the seeds and immediately report it to the department … on 1800 798 636,” the spokesman said.

“We all need to do our part to safeguard Australia from biosecurity pests and diseases.”

The spokesman explained seeds are often sent in the mail as a result of an e-commerce practice called “brushing”, which is used by a vendor to bolster their store’s orders and ratings in order to increase their visibility online.

Seeds are often used because they are light and cheap to send through the mail.

Meanwhile, an Australian Seed Federation (ASF) CEO Osman Mewett has urged all Australians who receive an unsolicited package to report it to the federal Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment immediately.

He said all mystery seeds should be destroyed to prevent a potential disaster.

“If you receive seed packages via the mail that you have not ordered, please report these to Australia’s biosecurity officials as soon as possible,” he said.

“You should only plant and use seed from known and trusted sources.”

Mr Mewett explained that legally imported seeds underwent rigorous testing by seed companies to ensure they met Australia’s notoriously tough biosecurity criteria in order to prevent plant pests that could cause chaos within the sector.

Has anyone found out what these mystery seeds are yet from China pic.twitter.com/N8TylhNq8B

— CENSORED (@CENSORE25382061) August 22, 2020

Mysterious seeds have been sent to people’s mailboxes. Authorities have warned people not to plant them.

He said seeds of unknown origin posed a major threat to Australia’s biosecurity as there was no guarantee they had been tested, potentially leading to the introduction of new plant pests and invasive species.

“Australian farmers and backyard vegetable growers expect quality seed and ensuring seed health is a very important topic for the Australian seed industry,” Mr Mewett said.

“To meet these customer expectations, seed companies focus on the prevention, detection and eradication of seed borne pathogens.

“Healthy seeds, free from known seed borne diseases, are necessary for sustainable food production. Keeping seeds, and consequently plants, healthy is crucial to ensure a sustainable food supply, as well as to protect Australia’s environment and agricultural enterprises.”

It is understood the Department of Agriculture is investigating the origin of the packages.