In 1996 Parliament passed the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (Act No. 47 of 1996). This new act replaces the Marketing Act of 1968 and brings about deregulation in the South African agricultural industry. In order to implement the provisions of the Act, the NAMC was established in January 1997. The NAMC is a statutory body established in terms of the Act to advise the Minister of Agriculture and the South African Agriculture Industry on matters relating to the marketing of agricultural products The Marketing and Economic Research Centre (MERC) was established to enhance the mandate of the NAMC through the MAP Act. MERC is involved in five main focusing areas namely: Mapping, understanding and quantifying agro-food chains ■Trade ■Linking farmers to markets and market development ■Risk management ■Information management system This is done through research as commissioned by the NAMC or requested by directly affected groups. Examples of requested studies done by MERC lately are the “Functioning of the agricultural futures market for grains and oilseeds” and “The impact of the Namibian Small Stock Marketing Scheme on South Africa”. An internal study that was finalised this year was “The impact of market power and dominance of supermarkets on agricultural producers in South Africa: A case study of the South African dairy industry”. Other regular publications include: ■Quarterly Food Price Monitors for rural and urban areas ■Monthly NAMC-DAFF TradeProbe ■Various Input Cost Monitors ■ Annual Food Cost review. Other areas were MERC is involved include collaboration with agribenchmark and two local universities to benchmark grain and beef farming internationally, regular appearances at conferences and farmers days, serve on industry committees and hosting of AEASA business office.