Shipments of Unsolicited Packages of Seeds Appear to Be Coming from China and Other Foreign Sources
Author: Tom Morgan, Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/ Sealer
Date: 4/7/2025 9:01 AM
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) have been notified of new shipments of unsolicited packages of seeds that appear to be coming from China and other foreign sources.
USDA APHIS requests anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds (*including potted seeds and seeds germinated into plants by recipients of the seeds), hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label and contact their APHIS State Plant Health Director or The San Luis Obispo County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures
The San Luis Obispo County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures is asking residents not to open, plant, or dispose of any unsolicited seed packets received, but to contact our office. “Invasive and exotic species can be detrimental to the environment by impacting native ecosystems, damaging crops and potentially poisoning livestock. Excluding and preventing their introduction is effective in reducing the impact to San Luis Obispo County and to protect our robust agricultural economy,” stated Martin Settevendemie, San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer.
We request recipients of these seeds to contact our office at 805-781-5910 for arrangements to collect, isolate, and properly store the seed. If you have planted the seeds, please contact our department for additional direction.
