Butler County

On July 28, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship issued guidance on proper disposal of unsolicited seed deliveries. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig confirmed that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is aware that individuals in Iowa have received unsolicited seed shipments from China and other countries. The Department is asking anyone who receives unlabeled seed from an unknown origin to retain the original packaging and report it immediately at 515-281-5321. Recipients should not open the seed packet, plant the seed or attempt to destroy it. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will collect, analyze and properly destroy the seeds.

When an individual reports the unsolicited seed to IDALS, they will be directed to an online portal where they can enter their address. IDALS will send them a post-paid envelope for sending the seed and associated packing materials back to IDALS. Once gathered, all seed and packaging will go to the USDA for further investigation and proper disposal.

For more information, go to the IDALS homepage and where a banner at the top of the page provides a link for reporting unsolicited seed deliveries.