Re: Fwd: Illegal Seed Tax

**Underwood Gardens i*@underwoodgardens.com**

Thanks Robyn,
	Matthew sent me this directly.  I appreciate your thinking of us.
Greenly,
Mayo

On Jul 14, 2005, at 8:39 AM, Robyn Williamson wrote:

> 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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