Ministry of Agriculture issues notification on ‘Threat of Unsolicited/Mystery seed parcels’
Just when the world is trying to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, another ‘bioterrorism’ scare in the form of seeds is doing the rounds in recent weeks in the US and Canada. Across the 50 states, Americans have been receiving unsolicited seed packets in the recent couple of weeks which have been mislabeled as ‘earrings’ or such innocuous items, but found to contain seeds.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) terms it a ’brushing scam’ and ’agriculture smuggling’ and reports that unsolicited seed parcels may contain seeds of an alien, invasive species or is an attempt to introduce pathogens or disease that may pose a serious threat to the environment, agriculture ecosystem, and national security,” according to the agriculture ministry’s communication to various government agencies, research institutions, companies, and seed organisations.
In light of these developments and keeping in mind the current sour Sino-Indian political situation, the Indian government is not taking any chances. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare has issued a notification on ‘Threat of Unsolicited/Mystery seed parcels from unknown sources’.
Ram Kaundinya, Director General, Federation of Seed Industry of India was, however, not too alarmed by the so-called ‘terror tactics’ using seeds. He said, “Right now it is only an alert for a possible spread of plant diseases through seeds coming from unauthorised sources without orders. Seed terrorism is too big a word to use for it. There are limitations to what diseases a seed can carry. But nevertheless, it is a threat. These seeds could be of an invasive species or weed which if established in our environment will compete or displace native species”.
He added that steps should be taken to prevent the release of the seeds as controlling them in future would become a costly affair. As a precautionary measure, he dissuaded the use of any seeds received from unknown sources, and exhorted strict customs checks at ports and airports, and enforcement of plant quarantine.
Kaundinya added, “This situation can be handled through vigilance and by following precautions. People in the US have received such unsolicited packets and subsequently, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued an alert. We should not plant seeds that have come to us unsolicited and destroy them immediately.”
