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

The purpose and aims of this statutory measure are to compel the following parties to register with Cotton South Africa: All persons who produce seed cotton; all persons who are parties to the purchase of seed cotton from producers; those persons who process seed cotton; those persons who are parties to the purchase of cotton lint from producers or ginners; and those persons who import or export cotton. Registration is necessary to assist Cotton South Africa in ensuring that continuous, timeous and accurate market information relating to cotton is made available to all role-players. Market information is deemed essential for all role-players in a deregulated market, in order for them to be able to make informed decisions. By combining the compulsory registration with the furnishing of monthly returns on an individual basis, market information for the whole of the country can be processed and disseminated to the market place.

The established of this statutory measure will not only assist in enhancing market access for all market participants but should also assist in promoting the efficiency of the marketing of cotton. The viability of the cotton industry will thus be enhanced. The measure will not be detrimental to the number of employment opportunities within the economy or fair labour practice.

This statutory measure will be administered by Cotton South Africa, a company incorporated under section 21 of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No.61 of 1973). Cotton South Africa is appointed to implement, administer and enforce the intervention set out in the Schedule.