Wanted to pass this on: A friend of mine told me this past weekend that she received an email from a company she regularly buys seeds from....They are now shipping all seeds UPS, because of the USPS is irradiating mail (apparently this causes low % germination). They suggested to her that if she were to buy other seeds from other companies by mail, she request that they be shipped by UPS or something other than USPS. If there is anyone who works for the USPS - could you verify? I know they are doing this some places, but I don't think it could be everywhere.....

-- hmm (h.m.metheny@att.net), January 30, 2002

Answers

Found this link that may have helpful information American Seed Trade Association, http://www.amseed.com/govt.asp U.S. MAIL IRRADIATION UPDATE January 22, 2002 Antiterrorism/Force Protection Bulletin 2001-14, U.S. Security and Counterintelligence Directorate The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) advises that certain types of incoming U.S. Government mail in zip code range 202-205 will continue to be for the foreseeable future irradiated in Lima, Ohio. The USPS notes that mail being irradiated includes letters, flats, express and priority mail with stamps for postage, as well as other packages with stamps for postage. Mail from known mailers is not being irradiated, which includes USPS Express mail with meter strips or corporate accounts, priority mail with meter strips or permit indicia, all registered mail and bulk quantity mail such as catalogs and magazines. Because of the effects of irradiation, the USPS recommends that the following items not be irradiated: · germinative matter (seeds, cuttings) · There are many other items listed on the web site

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), January 30, 2002.