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Texas Agriculture Warns of Unsolicited Seed Packages Threatening Biosecurity

Texas Department of Agriculture collected over 1,100 unsolicited seed packets linked to invasive species risks and possible brushing scams, urging residents to report unopened packages.

  • On Monday, the Texas Department of Agriculture warned residents as 1,101 seed packets have been collected from 1000 locations since February 2025.
  • Investigators say packages appear to originate from China, and suspect a brushing scam that mimics the 2020 unsolicited-seed incident to boost online sellers' fake reviews.
  • Customs gaps were flagged when officials said shipments slipped past screening, with many parcels arriving in clear packets with Chinese writing at recipients' doorsteps, according to authorities.
  • Texas Department of Agriculture said it is working with federal partners to collect, test, and dispose of unsolicited seed packages to protect Texas farms, natural resources, and ecosystems.
  • Since January 1, 126 packages were on record from Texas, with similar reports from Ohio Department of Agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, and Alabama Cooperative Extension System; the last Texas collection occurred December 29, 2025.
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Houston Chronicle broke the news in Houston, United States on Monday, January 5, 2026.
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