Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA) is the statutory corporation responsible to Defra for the running of New Covent Garden Market.

The Authority was established by Act of Parliament in 1961 and its function is to provide facilities for a wholesale market at Nine Elms while ensuring that its revenues are sufficient at least to break even taking one year with another.

In addition to providing warehouse and office premises, market halls, roads and parking, the Authority supplies necessary services to the Market community including cleaning and waste disposal, energy supplies, site security, traffic control and the maintenance of buildings, plant and equipment.

The Authority takes no part in the actual trade of the Market, which is the role of the traders, nor in the enforcement of grading and quality standards, which is dealt with by Defra's team of inspectors.

The Market Authority consults frequently with tenants, Market users and customers.  It is advised on Market issues by five statutory committees whose members represent traders and Market workers, Market users such as growers, importers, retailers, local authorities and other trade organisations such as the National Farmers Union, the Fresh Produce Consortium, the Freight Transport Association, the Road Haulage Association, Transport for London and the London Florists Club.