Beware of mysterious packets of seed sent by post
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Residents in the north are among those being asked to be on the lookout for unsolicited parcels of seed which may be linked to a scam that could threaten plant health.
NFU Scotland is urging the public to only buy seeds and plants from a trusted supplier and asks anyone who receives mysterious packages of seeds not to plant them.
In recent days, there have been reports about people throughout the UK receiving parcels, allegedly from China, that contain seeds.
The official advice from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is that if you have received seeds by post that you didn't order then email the details to planthealth.info@apha.gov.uk
Do not plant or compost the seeds, as it is possible they could be carrying plant pests or diseases that are a risk to home-grown crops or the environment.
APHA is conducting tests on seed samples and is also investigating the possibility of this being a "brushing scam" – where people receive low-value, unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales.
The items enter the country under the guise of being something else. Some seeds have been recorded in packages suggesting the contents are jewellery and, as a result, they are not declared as seeds and do not go through the plant health and customs checks that would normally apply to imported plant material.
NFU Scotland’s horticultural chairman, James Porter, said: “Scotland has an enviable reputation for producing high-health, hardy plants – whether that be trees, nursery stock, cereals, oilseeds, soft fruit, bulbs, vegetables or potatoes.
“The arrival of seeds of unknown quality or health places that at risk and I urge anyone who receives these unsolicited parcels to notify APHA.
“Putting these seeds in the ground or into compost bins risks introducing new disease threats and invasive species that could threaten the many healthy plants and species we grow here.”
