Regulation - Other
Proposed amendments to Regulation 761, (Milk and Milk Products) under the Milk Act concerning animal health requirements for cow milk producers
Regulation Number(s):
R.R.O. Reg. 761
O. Reg 121/98
O. Reg 121/98
Instrument Type:
Regulation - Other
Bill or Act:
Milk Act
Summary of Decision:
The Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission approved the proposed amendments to R.R.O.1990 Regulation 761, (Milk and Milk Products) concerning animal health requirements for cow milk producers on January 17, 2013. The amendments were filed with the Registrar of Regulations on January 22, 2013.
Further Information:
Milk Act
R.R.O. 761 Milk and Milk Products
O. Reg 121/98
Milk Act
R.R.O. 761 Milk and Milk Products
O. Reg 121/98
Proposal Number:
12-AFRA006
Posting Date:
August 30, 2012
Summary of Proposal:
The European Union (EU) has asked the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to demonstrate that regulatory requirements are in place to ensure animal health controls are part of Ontario's dairy farm inspection program. The EU cited animal health and veterinary medicine as areas in which the EU wanted greater veterinarian oversight for Ontario so that Ontario standards would be equivalent with EU standards. The proposed amendments provide the necessary oversight for the CFIA to continue to sign off on export certificates for dairy products and foods made with dairy products destined for the European Union.
The proposed amendments to Regulation 761 under the Milk Act would require every producer of cow milk to have a licensed veterinarian annually undertake an animal health assessment of the producer's dairy herd. The producer would be responsible for ensuring that at the time of the veterinary assessment, the producer and the veterinarian complete a required form, attesting to the status of animal health and the use of veterinary medicines on farm. The producer would be required to keep a copy of the completed form on the farm, and to produce it to an appointed fieldperson or the Director on request.
Compliance with the proposed new requirements would normally be assessed as part of the current on-farm inspections conducted under Regulation 761.
A producer that fails to meet the proposed requirements would be subject to the same kinds of monetary penalties, as are currently imposed in cases where the milk of a producer is produced from animals or on premises or with equipment that does not comply with sections 3 to 34 of Regulation 761.
A complementary amendment to O. Reg 121/98 may be required to delegate the authority to administer and enforce the new requirements to Dairy Farmers of Ontario, the designated administrative authority for the Raw Milk Quality Program for cow milk producers.
The proposed amendments to Regulation 761 under the Milk Act would require every producer of cow milk to have a licensed veterinarian annually undertake an animal health assessment of the producer's dairy herd. The producer would be responsible for ensuring that at the time of the veterinary assessment, the producer and the veterinarian complete a required form, attesting to the status of animal health and the use of veterinary medicines on farm. The producer would be required to keep a copy of the completed form on the farm, and to produce it to an appointed fieldperson or the Director on request.
Compliance with the proposed new requirements would normally be assessed as part of the current on-farm inspections conducted under Regulation 761.
A producer that fails to meet the proposed requirements would be subject to the same kinds of monetary penalties, as are currently imposed in cases where the milk of a producer is produced from animals or on premises or with equipment that does not comply with sections 3 to 34 of Regulation 761.
A complementary amendment to O. Reg 121/98 may be required to delegate the authority to administer and enforce the new requirements to Dairy Farmers of Ontario, the designated administrative authority for the Raw Milk Quality Program for cow milk producers.
Contact Address:
John Fitzgerald
Marketing Analyst
Farm Products Marketing Commission
1 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2
Phone: 519 826-3222
Fax: 519 826-3400
Marketing Analyst
Farm Products Marketing Commission
1 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2
Phone: 519 826-3222
Fax: 519 826-3400
Effective Date:
May 1, 2013
Decision:
Approved