A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and the Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 5pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAF website: www.ontario.ca/omaf and/or the MRA website: www.ontario.ca/mra.
MARKETING FOOD OF PLANT ORIGIN: LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS GUIDE
Marketing foods of plant origin that are grown in Ontario is a regulated activity. This means that when you prepare, advertise, distribute, transport, purchase, sell or offer for sale (whether for profit or not) or otherwise make these foods available for consumption or use by consumers, either directly or indirectly, you must do so in accordance with certain legal requirements. These requirements are set by federal, provincial and municipal governments. OMAF and MRA has developed a tool to help you find the legal requirements you need to know to market your foods of plant origin that are grown in Ontario. The requirements identified in this tool will apply to foods of plant origin regardless of whether the foods are produced conventionally or organically. More information on organic production and organic certification can be found on the OMAF and MRA website as well as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
This tool is a guide only. Links to applicable requirements have been provided for your information and review. Given the broad scope of the requirements, the variety of foods of plant origin grown in Ontario and the variety of roles in marketing those foods, it is not possible for OMAF and MRA to provide information about every requirement that may apply to your particular situation. It is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of and comply with all legal requirements (federal, provincial or municipal). For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/1cwdWWO.
CHANGES TO THE MEAT REGULATION
Following a consultation conducted in the spring of 2013, changes were made to the Ontario Regulation 31/05 (Meat). The changes were filed on October 25, 2013 and will be effective as of January 1, 2014. This initiative is part of the Open for Business strategy and reduces regulatory burden on businesses while continuing to protect the public interest. The changes support food safety for the public; clarify that OMAF’s role is the inspection of slaughter plants and freestanding meat plants that conduct higher risk processing or significant product distribution; and make it easier for businesses to comply with the regulation. In addition, animal welfare continues to be a key focus and priority, therefore changes were made to improve animal handling and care standards at slaughter plants. Changes to Ontario Regulation 223/05 (Fees) have also been made to reflect the ministry’s current practices in charging supplementary inspection fees (i.e. allowing an additional half hour for transition from pre-slaughter to post-slaughter inspection without charge and clarifying that licensees receive one free day of supplementary inspection per year). Read the revised Meat Regulation at: http://bit.ly/I3G8qn. Read the revised Fees Regulation at: http://bit.ly/1d24I9R.
ONTARIO APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING TAX CREDIT
You can claim this refundable tax credit if you are a corporation that provided a qualifying apprenticeship at a permanent establishment in Ontario for a student enrolled in a qualifying skilled trade. The credit is equal to a specified percentage (35 to 45 per cent) of the eligible expenditures incurred by the corporation for a qualifying apprenticeship. The maximum credit for each apprentice is $10,000 per year to a maximum of $40,000 over the first 48 months of the qualifying apprenticeship. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/1cweTi2.
PROVINCE REVIEWING MUNICIPAL PLANNING
Ontario is reviewing the way municipalities plan and pay for development to ensure growth is smart and sustainable across the province. Over the next 20 years, communities will face increasing pressure to accommodate new population growth and development. To ensure that planning decisions support more liveable communities, attract jobs and encourage economic growth now and in the future, the province is reviewing its land use planning approval system and its Development Charges Act. The review will also look to find ways to foster better co-operation and collaboration between municipalities, community groups, property owners and developers, so more land use planning matters can be resolved locally, instead of being referred to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/17yr54n.
COMING EVENTS
Jan. 8 – 14 – 48th Annual Grey Bruce Farmer’s Week, Elmwood Community Centre, 38 Queens Street West, Elmwood, Ontario. Refer to www.greyagservices.ca or call (519) 986-3756.
Jan. 17 – 18 – FarmSmart Agricultural Conference. For information, check the website at: www.farmsmartconference.com.
