NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) is warning residents about potentially dangerous foreign seeds arriving in the mail.
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NMDA said the unsolicited packages were reported in New Mexico and Texas. “These unauthorized seed shipments violate state and federal law and pose serious risks to our agriculture and environment,” Katie Laney, NMDA agricultural production services assistant division director, said in a news release. “Unknown seeds could introduce invasive species or plant diseases that threaten New Mexico’s ecosystems and farming communities.”
If you receive unexpected seeds, follow the below steps:
- Do not plant the seeds.
- If already planted, remove all seeds before germination or destroy any growing plants.
- Keep all packaging materials, labels and seeds.
- Document with photographs if possible.
- Report to NMDA immediately.
How to report:
- Email: ddlabs@nmda.nmsu.edu (include photos).
- Phone: 575-646-1551.
- Online: NMDA’s Unsolicited Seed Package Form.
Mail seeds and packaging to:
New Mexico Department of Agriculture | Laboratory Division
Attn: Tim Darden
MSC 3 LD / P.O. Box 30005
973 Agriculture Way
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8005
NMDA said the public’s cooperation is crucial in helping authorities track and stop these illegal shipments.