Regulation - Other
Proposed amendments to Regulation 440 (Vegetables for Processing - Marketing) under the Farm Products Marketing Act to remove the provisions establishing negotiating agencies and to add provisions establishing an industry advisory committee.
Regulation Number(s):
R.R.O. Regulation 440 Vegetables for Processing – Marketing
Instrument Type:
Regulation - Other
Bill or Act:
Farm Products Marketing Act
Summary of Proposal:
Regulation 440 (Vegetables for Processing - Marketing) provides for the control and regulation of the production and marketing of regulated vegetables in Ontario. Through Regulation 440, the Commission has delegated to the local board several powers to make regulations to license producers and control the production and marketing of vegetables. Currently, the regulation also provides a framework establishing negotiating agencies to determine minimum prices, terms and conditions of sale of regulated vegetables, size of operations, charges, costs and expenses related to the producing or marketing of vegetables. The regulation currently does not provide for the establishment of an industry advisory committee.
In February 2016 the Commission posted to Ontario's Regulatory Registry proposed amendments to Regulation 440 to specify minimum requirements for active growers of each processor to be participants in the negotiating agency for each vegetable, and to amend the timing for the communication of negotiating agency appointees to the Commission. In June 2016, the Commission reviewed the comments from the regulatory registry posting and are continuing to evaluate the proposed amendments.
In support of the Premier's Agri-Food Challenge and the Minister's Mandate Letter, the Commission is also considering a number of options to enable the processing vegetable sector to remain viable and grow, including modernizing how prices between growers and processors are established or negotiated and the role of the industry and board in that, by moving to a free market system.
The Commission is proposing to amend Regulation 440 to remove the provisions establishing negotiating agencies and to add provisions establishing an industry advisory committee. Consequential amendments to the board's powers resulting from the proposed amendments will also be considered.
The purpose of this posting is to provide industry participants and other interested parties with an opportunity to provide input on the proposed amendments.
If the proposal proceeds the Commission intends to have the amendments finalized by late-September 2016, for implementation by industry for the 2017 vegetables for processing crop year.
In February 2016 the Commission posted to Ontario's Regulatory Registry proposed amendments to Regulation 440 to specify minimum requirements for active growers of each processor to be participants in the negotiating agency for each vegetable, and to amend the timing for the communication of negotiating agency appointees to the Commission. In June 2016, the Commission reviewed the comments from the regulatory registry posting and are continuing to evaluate the proposed amendments.
In support of the Premier's Agri-Food Challenge and the Minister's Mandate Letter, the Commission is also considering a number of options to enable the processing vegetable sector to remain viable and grow, including modernizing how prices between growers and processors are established or negotiated and the role of the industry and board in that, by moving to a free market system.
The Commission is proposing to amend Regulation 440 to remove the provisions establishing negotiating agencies and to add provisions establishing an industry advisory committee. Consequential amendments to the board's powers resulting from the proposed amendments will also be considered.
The purpose of this posting is to provide industry participants and other interested parties with an opportunity to provide input on the proposed amendments.
If the proposal proceeds the Commission intends to have the amendments finalized by late-September 2016, for implementation by industry for the 2017 vegetables for processing crop year.
Further Information:
R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 440: VEGETABLES FOR PROCESSING - MARKETING
Proposal Number:
16-MAFRA004
Posting Date:
June 28, 2016
Comments Due Date:
August 12, 2016
Contact Address:
Mike Relf
Secretary to the Commission and Manager, Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission Secretariat
Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission
1 Stone Rd. W., Guelph, ON, N1G 4Y2
E-mail: mike.relf@ontario.ca
Phone: 519-826-5199
Fax: 519-826-3400
Secretary to the Commission and Manager, Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission Secretariat
Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission
1 Stone Rd. W., Guelph, ON, N1G 4Y2
E-mail: mike.relf@ontario.ca
Phone: 519-826-5199
Fax: 519-826-3400