Fwd: Illegal Seed Tax

**Robyn Williamson r*@optusnet.com.au**

Hi Mayo, received this response to your post from the 
permaculture-oceania listserv ... Robyn

Begin forwarded message:

>
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2005 02:02:22 +1000
> From: Matthew Bond <mjbond@gmail.com>
> To: permaculture-oceania@lists.cat.org.au
> Cc: info@underwoodgardens.com
> Subject: [permaculture-oceania] Illegal Seed Tax
> Reply-To: permaculture-oceania@lists.cat.org.au
>
> As the product originates in Illinois it would be considered an export
> to Minnesota.  The Department of Agriculture would know that taxation
> of exports between the states is illegal under Section 9, clause 5 of
> the US Constitution.  The use of the term permit is a means of
> disguising the fact that it is a tax.  It's an interesting ploy but in
> my opinion you should seek legal advice because they are obstructing
> trade.  I'm sure the courts would deem it to be taxation and not a
> 'permit' as they call it and only valid for products originating from
> within Minnesota.
>
> M Bond.
>>> Greetings all,
>>>       We (Underwood Gardens, an heirloom seed company in IL) recently
>>> received a notice from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture
>>> regarding the "sale of seeds intended for planting in Minnesota".  
>>> The
>>> gist of it is that firms who market seeds by mail need to purchase a
>>> permit from the state of Minnesota to do so.  The annual permit 
>>> ranges
>>> from $50 to $2000, depending on the annual gross sales of the 
>>> company.
>>>       Has anyone heard more about this?  Should this catch on, 
>>> individu=
> al
>>> states initiating similar taxes will strain small seed companies,
>>> perhaps putting them out of business, leaving none but the giant,
>>> "agribusiness" seed companies to sell seeds by mail.
>>>
>>>       Any ideas or suggestions?  Should you want to reach me off 
>>> list, =
> email
>>> info@underwoodgardens.com     Thanks.
>>>
>>> Green blessings,
>>> Mayo Underwood
>>> Underwood Gardens - heirloom seed specialists
>>> www.underwoodgardens.com
>>>
>>> "Bless the planet, trust yourself, expect the best".      the Kahunas
>>>
CONTACT DETAILS:

Robyn Williamson
PDC, Urban Horticulturist
Hon Sec, Fagan Park Community Eco Garden Committee
Local Seed Network Coordinator
NORTH WESTERN SYDNEY COMMUNITY SEED SAVERS
mobile:  0409 151 435
ph/fx:  (612) 9629 3560
email:  rz.williamson@optusnet.com.au
http://www.seedsavers.net
http://www.communityfoods.com.au
http://www.communitygarden.org.au

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