National supply managed marketing in agricultural products was made possible by enabling federal and provincial legislation. The National Farm Products Marketing Commission oversees the operations of all supply management agencies, to ensure that they serve the needs of both producers and consumers. Supply management plans must involve import tariffs--periodic surges in imports would wreak havoc with the matching of production to anticipated domestic demand. Supply management serves the needs of producers and society at large for the following reasons: assurance of reasonable returns to producers eliminates the need for subsidies; major fluctuations in consumer prices are eliminated; security of food supply; conformity with Canadian sanitation and health standards; and by matching production with domestic requirements, Canada is not adding to international surpluses.