
Reportedly, some New Mexico residents have received in the mail unsolicited foreign seeds – with some seed shipments obscured as jewelry items.
Officials are asking recipients not to plant the seeds, to collect the seed prior to germination if already planted, and to destroy any emerging plants.
The seeds are unknown and could be a pathway for introductions of new invasive plant species and new plant diseases to the state.
Reportedly, this type of international shipment of seeds is unlawful under state and federal regulations.
NMDA asks anyone who has received one of these unsolicited foreign shipments to save all shipping labels, packaging and seeds, and contact the New Mexico Department of Agriculture by email at nmagsec@nmda.nmsu.edu, or by phone at 575-646-3007.
Send seeds and associated shipping materials to NMDA by mail at the following address:
New Mexico Department of Agriculture
Laboratory Division
Attn: Tim Darden
MSC 3 LD / P.O. Box 30005
3190 S. Espina Street
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8005