Mystery Seeds (Department of Agriculture)

Jason Koebler filed this request with the Department of Agriculture of Georgia.
Multi Request Mystery Seeds
Submitted Aug. 5, 2020
Status
Rejected

Communications

From: Jason Koebler

Subject: Georgia Open Records Act Request: Mystery Seeds (Department of Agriculture)

Email


To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

Widespread news reports and agency releases show that there has been the spread and distribution of "mystery seeds" in the last month.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/seeds-from-china-usda-investigation-identified/

Therefore, I request the following information:

- Any lab reports, internal communications, analyses, warnings, or other guidances about the mystery seeds.
- Any case reports about the mystery seeds.
- Any forensic analysis or communication with law enforcement (state, local, or national) about the mystery seeds.
- The number of consumer reports as well as the reports filed about the mystery seeds.
- Any presentations or other documents prepared about the mystery seeds
- Any emails concerning the mystery seeds
- Any photos or video related to the mystery seeds

Please search from July 1, 2020 until the day this request is processed.

This request is being made for use on Motherboard, VICE Media's science and technology website. It is not for commercial purposes.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 3 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Jason Koebler

From: Department of Agriculture

Subject: RE: Georgia Open Records Act Request: Mystery Seeds (Department of Agriculture)

Email

Good afternoon,

Thank you for submitting the below Georgia Open Records Act request. I have been advised that this case is still under investigation; therefore, no records can be released at this time.

Under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. ยง 50-18-72(a)(4), when a regulatory agency is conducting an investigation which involves the subject matter of an open records request, public disclosure is not required until the investigation is deemed complete.

I have also been advised that the GDA seed lab has not identified anything that would be considered dangerous or invasive at this time. The list of received seeds is long and random, including common herbs, flowers and vegetables.

Please re-submit your request at a later date.

Sincerely,

Cortney Kiser
Paralegal

Georgia Department of Agriculture
19 M.L.K, Jr. Dr. SW | Atlanta, GA |30334
Office: (404) 586-1149
www.agr.georgia.gov<http://www.agr.georgia.gov/> | www.georgiagrown.com<http://www.georgiagrown.com/>

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