Alert Issued for Shipments of Seeds Originating from China
In recent months, an unusual phenomenon has been occurring in mailboxes across Germany: unordered packets of seeds, often labelled as "earrings" or "greeting cards." Approximately 65,000 such shipments from China, lacking necessary phytosanitary certificates, have been discovered at Frankfurt Airport up to the beginning of June this year.
These seed shipments are suspected to be part of a "Brushing Scam," a fraudulent trick aimed at falsely inflating sales figures or obtaining user reviews. Experts believe that seeds are used in this scam due to their light and inexpensive nature, making them easy to ship as letters and capable of bypassing import controls.
Another possible motive is testing entry points into the EU for smuggling non-compliant shipments. German authorities have urged China to comply with customs and phytosanitary regulations, and similar cases have been reported in other EU countries.
The concern for authorities is not just the potential fraud but also the risk these seeds pose to local nature, urban greenery, gardens, parks, and agriculture. Unknown seeds could introduce invasive species that spread uncontrollably and displace native plants. Moreover, the seeds could be infected with diseases and pests, posing a threat to the local ecosystem.
The Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) advises against ordering seed from non-EU countries via the internet. If you find an unordered packet of seeds in your mailbox, it is recommended to treat it with caution. Authorities advise against planting the seeds and recommend disposing of them in household waste, not in compost or the organic waste bin.
It is generally not recommended to buy seed, for example from China, even if all papers are in order. The DHL post center, which sends packages to the whole of Germany, is located in Frankfurt. As the number of such seed shipments increases, it is crucial to remain vigilant and follow the advice of authorities to protect our local environment.
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