The National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) is deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Professor Eckart Kassier, a highly esteemed member of the academic community and a doyen in the agricultural industry.

Professor Eckart Kassier was the main author of the Kassier Report, which advocated for the deregulation of the South African agricultural sector and dissolution of the former Agricultural Control Boards – which ultimately led to the revocation of the 1968 Marketing Act and the promulgation of the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act of 1996 and subsequent amendments.

As a result of extensive knowledge Professor Kassier possessed about the agricultural industry and invaluable contribution he continued to make, he was appointed the first Chairperson of the NAMC in 1997 – the role that also performed the function of the Chief Executive Officer of the institution at the time.

In honour of Professor Kassier’s legacy, we are determined and committed to continue executing the mandate of the NAMC as enshrined in the MAP Act of 1996.

We would like to furthermore extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, academic fraternity and agricultural sector at large.

May the soul of Professor Eckart Kassier rest in peace!