The State Plant Protection Service (VAAD) has received information from several EU Member States and the USA that many households have recently been receiving packets of seeds of unknown origin by post, included, for example, as gifts with other online orders. The shipments have been sent primarily from China, Singapore, Taiwan, Vanuatu, and Malaysia. These seed packages usually contain seeds of ornamental or unknown plants from several genera, along with plant debris, soil, dead insect larvae, and various plant disease pathogens.

Seeds of unknown origin pose a major risk for the spread of invasive alien plant species, plant diseases, pests, and weeds, and may also be genetically modified. The VAAD points out that upon receiving such seeds, they must not be sown, thrown in the bin, or discarded in nature. When receiving such shipments, please contact the VAAD Plant Quarantine Department by phone on 67550928, 67027098, or your nearest regional office (www.vaad.gov.lv > Contact information) and hand the packages over to VAAD inspectors for disposal.