904-530-6010
The County Insider
  • Home
  • About
  • Sign Up for Emails
  • Contact Us

Nassau County, Florida

Welcome to beautiful Nassau County, located in the northeast corner of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and Interstate 95. We are proud to serve as the Eastern Gateway to the Sunshine State. From our historic island, sandy beaches, and championship golf courses to our scenic rivers, green pastures, and majestic timberlands, we truly offer something for everyone.

Important Message Regarding Unsolicited Packages of Seeds from China

7/30/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
For Immediate Release: July 27, 2020
Contact: Office of Communications, (850) 617-7737
Twitter: @FDACS & @NikkiFriedFL                      
 
FDACS Asking Floridians to Report Suspicious Seed Packets from China
                                                                                  
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is warning Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds received through the mail. The seed packets, which may arrive unexpectedly in packages bearing Chinese characters, may bear the name China Post, and may be labeled as jewelry, have been reported in multiple states including Virginia, Kansas, Washington, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Utah, and others.
 
As of July 27, FDACS has received at least 160 reports from Florida residents reporting having received suspicious seed packages. The content of the seed packages is unknown at this time.
 
The introduction of plant seeds into the United States is tightly regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Seeds of unknown origin may constitute agricultural smuggling, may be invasive, may introduce pathogens, toxins, or plant and animal diseases, may pose a risk of foodborne illness, and may pose a threat to plant, animal, and human health. FDACS is working closely to receive guidance from the USDA and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the lead regulatory body on this issue, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
 
“Plant seeds from unknown sources may introduce dangerous pathogens, diseases, or invasive species into Florida, putting agriculture and our state’s plant, animal, and human health at risk,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Anyone receiving these suspicious seed packets should not open them, should not plant them, should limit contact with them, and should report them immediately to both our department and USDA officials.”
 
What To Do: Anyone receiving unsolicited seed packages from other countries should follow these directions:
 
  • Do not open the seed packet and avoid opening outer packaging or mailing materials, if possible
  • Do not plant the seeds or discard them in trash that will be landfilled
  • Limit contact with the seed package until further guidance on handling, disposal, or collection is available from the USDA
  • Report the seed package to the FDACS Division of Plant Industry at 1-888-397-1517 or DPIhelpline@FDACS.gov
  • Report the seed package to the USDA APHIS Anti-Smuggling Hotline at 1-800-877-3835 or SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov
 
When reporting the seed package to FDACS and USDA/APHIS, please be prepared to provide one’s name, physical address, phone number, and email address for contact purposes.
 

Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

    Categories

    All
    2020 Census
    Affordable Housing
    American Beach
    American Rescue Plan
    Animal Control
    Around The County
    Beaches
    Bike Trails
    Board Vacancies
    Budget
    Building Department
    CARES
    Citizen Surveys
    Clerk Of Courts
    Code Enforcement
    Community Outreac
    Contracts Procurement
    Contracts-Procurement
    County Attorney
    County Awards
    County Extension/Agriculture Services
    County Manager
    County Oversight
    Economic Development
    Emergency Mgmt
    Employee Achievements
    Engineering Services
    Environment
    Facilities
    FDOT
    Financial
    Fire Rescue
    Flags
    Grant Info
    Growth Management
    Health Department
    Job Growth
    Job Opportunities
    Land Conservation
    Library
    Nassau Amelia Utilities
    Newsletters
    Not For Profits
    Planning
    Press Releases/Advisories
    Property Appraiser
    Public Works
    Railroad
    Recreation
    Recycling
    Resolutions
    School Board
    Senior Citizens
    Sheriff
    Solid Waste
    Special Events
    State Of Florida
    Supervisor Of Elections
    Technical Services
    Tourism
    Transit Needs
    Tree Ordinance
    Veterans
    Video Projects
    Volunteer Opportunities
    Weather
    Week In Photos
    Wildlife

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly