The left-of-centre, free-spirit concept behind the packaging for Katy Perry’s newly released album Prism could very well be its undoing in Australia after a government department declared it a “potential biohazard”.
The album, which had already made its way to #1 before raising any concerns, comes packaged with seeds that fans are encouraged to plant in an attempt to “spread the light”. Does light come from plants? Maybe sunflowers. Who knows, eh?
While Perry’s label has explained that the seeds are specific to each region and won’t be foreign in the country of purchase, the Department of Agriculture is more concerned about the seeds found in copies of the album fans have purchased overseas either online or in person.
Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, a spokesperson from the department has not minced words:
“Seeds or plant material of international origin may be a weed not present in Australia or the host of a plant pathogen of biosecurity concern…The Australian Government has a strong system in place to detect and respond to material of biosecurity concern. This includes the inspection of mail, cargo and baggage.”
OK, so Katy didn’t really think this one through, but she some intern clearly did a bit of research, issuing the Swan River daisy seed, native to Western Australia, for Prism‘s Australian units.
Prism is out in Australia now. As a bonus, here’s Yoko Ono covering Katy Perry’s Firework. Just watch it.
Watch: Yoko Ono – Firework (Katy Perry cover)
http://youtu.be/ErwtRQDhBH4
