Rural Payments and Services

Warning not to plant mystery seeds received in the post Households in Scotland are being warned not to plant seeds they may receive in the post as part of a possible scam.

Seeds have been sent to hundreds of addresses across Scotland, Europe and the USA. The seeds, mainly from China, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia, could contain pests or diseases that pose a significant plant biosecurity risk to Scottish agriculture and the wider environment.

People are asked not to handle, plant or compost the seeds and to send the packages to SASA for testing.

SASA has issued the following advice:

• If the packet of seeds has not been opened, please leave it sealed ·
• Do not plant or compost these seeds ·
• Do not handle the seeds

If you have planted the seeds, please: ·

• Place the growing plant(s) and surrounding soil / compost in a plastic bag ·
• Place this bag inside another plastic bag, seal securely and dispose in your general waste bin

These seeds may have been treated with a chemical pesticide – please wash your hands if you have handled them without gloves.

Chief Plant Health Officer for Scotland, Professor Gerry Saddler, said:

“It is important not to open these packages and that these seeds are not planted or composted as it is possible they could be carrying plant pests or diseases that are a harmful risk to our plant life and the environment.”

If you have received seeds in the post that you didn’t order please report them to the new dedicated email address: seeds.info@sasa.gov.scot. Please note that emails previously sent to the general SASA enquiries email address will still be actioned.

The Scottish Government is working closely with Defra and the other devolved authorities on developments across the UK.

More information can be found on the SASA website.