“Whether at input levels like fertilizer supply or market traders associations, they constitute cartels that control many things including prices. That is not only a violation of law, it’s wrong. Trade associations are vital to business, they are important to the well being of society but there are limitations to what they should engage in.

“I can understand the history of why trade associations are important, and they are still important. They are important in bringing members of the associations together, training professionals together, discussing standards and what is good for their businesses, but certainly not to discuss pricing, certainly not to discuss or restrict supply and demand.

“You can determine new prices individually and provide your services at a price that you consider fair and profitable to your business. But you cannot coordinate, you cannot conspire and you cannot build consensus around a price.

“We will enforce against the association, and sadly, if there are small players in the association who comply with the declarations of the association, we will enforce against them also. We will ensure that banks do not provide merchant services to those who actually pursue conducts that have been declared illegal.”