New licence for the operation of a dairy plant

Before you begin to operate a dairy plant, you must submit an application for a new operation licence. This includes when:

  • a facility is being licensed for the first time
  • an existing licensed plant is transferred to a new owner (transfer of ownership)

If you plan to construct or alter a building intended for use as a plant, you must submit an application for a permit to construct or alter a building (new applicants) at the same time as the application for an operation licence.

Contact dairyfoodsafety@ontario.ca to confirm:

  • if your building needs alterations
  • if you need a permit application

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will not issue a licence until the plant is complete and we have inspected it to confirm the plant meets all applicable regulations under the Milk Act.

Form

Application for a new licence for the operation of a dairy plant

Follow the instructions on the form.

Renewal of a licence for the operation of a dairy plant

Dairy plant operation licences must be renewed annually.

You must submit an application for a renewal at least 60 days before the expiry date on an existing licence.

Form

Application for renewal of a licence for the operation of a dairy plant

Follow the instructions on the form.

Amended licence for the operation of a dairy plant

You must submit an application if you want to make changes at a licensed dairy plant receiving milk, including:

  • type of plant
  • species of milk used
  • milk class or subclass

Learn more about the rules around dairy plant changes in Regulation 761, s.95(2) under the Milk Act (Ontario).

If your changes require alterations or modifications to the plant, you must also submit an application for a permit to construct or alter a building (existing applicants).

Form

Application for an amended licence for the operation of a dairy plant

Please follow instructions on the form.

Permit to construct or alter a building intended for use as a dairy plant (for new applicants)

Before you begin the construction of a new dairy plant:

  • you must complete and submit an application for a permit to construct or alter a building
  • the Director appointed under the Milk Act must approve your permit application

This application must demonstrate, through drawings and other information as necessary, that the plant will be built to meet the regulatory requirements under the Milk Act.

You must submit both an application for an operation licence and an application for a permit to construct or alter a building (new applicants) at the same time.

Form

Application for a permit to construct or alter a building intended for use as a dairy plant (new applicants)

Follow the instructions on the forms.

Permit to construct or alter a building intended for use as a dairy plant (for existing applicants)

Before you begin alterations to an existing dairy plant:

  • you must complete and submit an application for a permit to construct or alter a building (existing licensed plants)
  • the Director appointed under the Milk Act must approve your application

This permit application must demonstrate, through drawings and other information as necessary, that the alterations to the plant will meet the regulatory requirements under the Milk Act.

In some cases, you may also need to submit an application for an amended operation licence.

Form

Application for a permit to construct or alter a building intended for use as a dairy plant (existing applicants)

Follow the instructions on the form.

Renewal of a bulk tank milk grader certificate (goat milk)

All raw milk in Ontario must be graded by a certified bulk tank milk grader at the farm before it gets delivered to processing plants.

To renew your certificate (goat milk), submit the application for a certificate and mark it as a renewal.

Form

Application for renewal of a goat bulk tank milk grader certificate

Follow the instructions on the form.

New licence for a non-shopkeeper distributor

You must submit an application for a non-shopkeeper distributor licence if you meet at least one of the following:

  • You sell or distribute fluid milk products and do not operate a shop.
  • You operate a shop and less than 50% by volume of your fluid milk products are sold directly to consumers from your shop.
  • You are a fluid milk distributor and you don’t buy your milk products from a licensed non-shopkeeper distributor.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will not issue a licence until we have inspected the delivery vehicles and storage locations (depots) and verified compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Licences are issued for a period of up to 3 years and must be renewed before the expiry date stated on the licence.

Form

Application for a non-shopkeeper distributor licence

Follow the instructions on the form.

Renewal of a licence for a non-shopkeeper distributor

Non-shopkeeper distributor licences must be renewed every 3 years.

You must submit an application for a renewal at least 60 days prior to the expiry date on an existing licence.

Form

Application for renewal of a non-shopkeeper distributor licence

Follow the instructions on the form.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact dairyfoodsafety@ontario.ca.

Related links