Sounds Like the Work of Delorus Umbridge

[Steve]

In searching for information on native snake of Great Britian, I came
across this amazingly illogical typically self-serving bit of British law.

It seems that trafficing in home grown tomatoes or tomato seeds (as
well as many other seeds) is against the law.

http://www.samizdata.net/blog/archives/004286.html

Quoted in Part-

... I don't think many people realise it, but there is a contraband
war going on in this country. It is a war which has spawned a
clandestine ring of illicit and secretive dealers and buyers operating
their own black economy and doing their best to steer clear of the
agents of the state.

And just what are these shadowy merchants trading in? Is it narcotics?
Is it guns? Is it prostitution? Gambling dens? No, it's tomato seeds:

"The dealer wishes to remain anonymous. Not that he's ashamed of his
seeds: on the contrary, he's doubts you'll find better in England.
Once you've tried their crop, he believes, you'll be hooked. But if he
told you how to buy them, he could be prosecuted - and a small
businessman like him can ill-afford a £5,000 fine. ...."

The Department of Farming and Rural Affairs - Plant Varieties and
Seeds Act (1964) makes these tomatoes forbidden fruit - well, at least
the seeds from which they are grown.


>From a Reply to the original post -
If you want to be completely up to date on this check out 'The Seeds
(National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001', 'The Vegetable Seed
(England) Regulations 2002', and 'The Seed (Registration, Licensing
and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2002', and work your way back
through 57 varieties of statutory instrument, directive and statute. 

- end quote -

Just thought I would pass it along.

bboy_mn