AZDA_Press_Release_Unsolicited_Seeds_from_China_7-27-20_0

packet of seeds, mail envelope, and planting instructions


photo of mail envelope and seed packet

Photos: Minnesota Department of Agriculture  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do not plant seeds of unknown origin.

DOUGLAS A. DUCEY

  Governor

pastedGraphic.png

MARK W. KILLIAN

       Director

Arizona Department of Agriculture

1688 W. Adams Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

(602) 542-4293 FAX (602) 542-4290

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE DATE:   July 27, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT:  Rob Smook< mailto: rsmook@azda.gov

Legislative Liaison, Public Information Officer & Tribal Liaison (602)542-3032

Unsolicited Seeds from China

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is aware that people across the county have received unsolicited packages of seed from China in recent days including many in Arizona.

APHIS is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection and State departments of agriculture including the Arizona Department of Agriculture to prevent the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protect U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds.

Please do not discard the unsolicited package of seeds received in the mail.  Anyone in Arizona who receives an unsolicited package of seeds from China should immediately send or drop off the package to one of the following locations:

Arizona Department of Agriculture

ATTN: PLANT SERVICES DIVISION

1688 W. Adams

Phoenix, AZ  85007

(P) 602-542-0992

(F) 602-542-1004

Tucson Operations 

Arizona Department of Agriculture

Plant Services Division

400 W Congress Ste. 124

Tucson, Az.  85701

(P) 520-628-6314

(F) 520-628-6961

Yuma Operations 

Arizona Department of Agriculture

Plant Services Division 

1931 S. Arizona Avenue Suite 4

Yuma, AZ 85364

(P) 928-341-1758

(F) 928-341-1750