The mysterious seed bag phenomenon has reached Israel as well • The Ministry of Agriculture warns: do not open the packages, do not throw them away - and certainly do not sow the seeds
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In recent months, a storm has erupted around small seed bags arriving by mail at random residents around the world. The same residents did not order these bags, but were surprised to find a message from the post office that a package was waiting for them. From the information known so far, it appears that these are probably bags coming from China. Complaints of this kind were heard mainly by residents from the US, England and Portugal, but recently apparently the phenomenon has also penetrated Israel.
Although so far all the details regarding these bags in the world have not been clarified, and the motive for sending such packages is unclear, the Ministry of Agriculture And warning: If you have received a mysterious package of seeds, you must report directly to the quarantine department of the Plant Protection and Inspection Services, Ministry of Agriculture, to have them examined. Do not throw away or use the seeds.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reiterates that seeds or any other agricultural produce may not be brought into Israel or used without the necessary approvals from the Plant Protection and Audit Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, which verify that it is agricultural produce free of pests and diseases.
It is important to clarify that most pests and causes of the disease are not visible, similar to the symptoms that will appear on the seeds. Thus the introduction of unapproved seeds may cause the penetration of a new pest or a disease agent that may harm local agricultural industries, capable of destroying entire industries as well as nature as a whole. In order to verify that the produce arriving in the country does indeed meet the import requirements, the Plant Protection and Audit Services at the Ministry of Agriculture conduct inspections and approve the requests received by importers or citizens who wish to import any agricultural produce into the country.
The Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes that there is a total ban on the import of seeds, fruits and vegetables into the territory of the State of Israel without any control. Did you receive one of the packages? Contact the Plant Closure Division at the Plant Protection and Audit Services at the Ministry of Agriculture: by phone - 050-6241746, or by email: Arics@moag.gov.il / ofrae@moag.gov.il
