Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, 1996 (Act No. 47 of 1996)

The purpose and aim of this statutory measure is to compel the parties set out herein to render records and returns to the Meat Statutory Measure Services. This is necessary to ensure that continuous, timeous and accurate information relating to the designated animals slaughtered and their products, is available to all role-players. Market information is deemed essential for all role-players in order for them to make informed decisions. By prescribing the keeping of records with the rendering of returns on a individual basis, market information for the whole of the industry can be processed and published.

The establishment of this statutory measure should assist in promoting the efficiency of the marketing of red meat. The viability and efficiency of the red meat industry should thus be enhanced.

This statutory measure is not detrimental to any of the objectives of the Act, and in particular will not be detrimental to the number of employment opportunities or on fair labour practice in the red meat industry.

Any information obtained through this mechanism will be dealt with in a confidential manner and sensitive or potentially sensitive client-specific information shall be dealt with in accordance with section 23(2) of the Act.

This statutory measure will be administered by the Meat Statutory Measure Services, who will act in terms of the mandate and on behalf of the red meat industry through its representative structure, namely the Red Meat Industry Forum.