Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


OMAFRA challenges tribunal's authority

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

by SUSAN MANN

The Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeals Tribunal will review a decision by one of its panels that ruled the Ontario agriculture ministry must return items seized from a retired veterinarian’s home after he quit the livestock medicines licensing system.

The tribunal handed down its decision on Oct. 20 to review the panel’s decision concerning Ken Allan of Perth. That decision was issued July 15.

The review will be done by way of a written hearing. Tribunal chair Kirk Walstedt says in an email that a written hearing involves exchanging written documents.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs requested the review. The ministry argues the tribunal doesn’t have the statutory authority to order the return of what Allan estimates to be $15,000 worth of items seized from his home. It also contends that the tribunal can’t order compensation for medicines seized and since expired or destroyed. That’s because a justice of the peace from the Provincial Court of Justice issued a search warrant to seize the medicines, papers and his grandfather’s practicing bag.

“It’s the ministry’s position the tribunal has no authority to interfere with or make a decision relating to matters arising out of the issuance of a search warrant pursuant to the Provincial Offences Act,” the Oct. 20 decision says.

Allan retired from practicing veterinary medicine in 2009. In early 2010 he applied for and received his Class 1 license under the Livestock Medicines Act but his license was provisionally suspended in the spring because he wasn’t fully complying with the Act.  Allan voluntarily left the licensing system sometime before May 10, 2010. The ministry held a hearing in July 2010 to revoke his license. Allan didn’t attend.

The tribunal said it was troubled by procedural errors the ministry made in its handling of the matter. BF
 

Current Issue

August 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Premier Equipment Acquires Green Tractors Dealers

Friday, July 25, 2025

Southwestern Ontario’s Premier Equipment has reached an agreement to acquire neighbouring dealer Green Tractors Inc. This acquisition marks Premier’s fourth and largest acquisition in 2025, solidifying its growth trajectory. Earlier this year, Premier added new locations in... Read this article online

Fusarium And Sprouting Alert for Wheat

Friday, July 25, 2025

As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, Ontario wheat farmers face growing concerns over fusarium head blight (FHB) and harvest timing this season. Frequent rains in many areas – with more to come - are increasing fusarium risk, threatening yield and grain quality. FHB... Read this article online

Lactalis closing beverage plant in Sudbury

Friday, July 25, 2025

Lactalis is closing its plant-based beverage processing plant in Sudbury. The company, which includes brands like Balderson, Astro, and Beatrice, reopened the plant in June 2024 after closing it in 2022 to convert it to a facility focusing on plant-based beverages like those in its Enjoy!... Read this article online

Applications Open for Grains Innovation Fund 2026

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the province’s largest commodity organization representing 28,000 farmers, is now accepting applications for the 2026 Grains Innovation Fund. The fund offers grants up to $75,000 to support innovative projects that promote the use of Ontario’s grains such as... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top