Regulation changes for Ontario's meat processors and anaerobic digester operators Friday, November 1, 2013 by SUSAN MANN Provincial government changes to meat regulations that take effect Jan. 1, 2014 will make it easier for businesses to comply with the rules. Laurie Nicol, executive director of the Ontario Independent Meat Processors, says there are a number technical amendments to regulations under the Food Safety and Quality Act “that will provide flexibility and reduce some regulatory burdens.” The changes will make the regulations more modern and “outcome based,” she adds. The regulation changes cover a “number of critical control areas,” she says. The language is clearer, less prescriptive and the regulation is more outcome based. “There are many ways to achieve the same outcome but in the regulatory text it was very prescribed before,” she explains. The meat processors association isn’t advocating for lower standards and companies still must have controls in place to cover, for example, the handling of dry storage. The regulation just isn’t going to specify any one way that it must be handled. As long as meat processors meet the food safety requirements of the regulations, there will be some latitude in how they accomplish them. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food says on its website the meat regulation changes are part of the “Open for Business strategy and reduces regulatory burden on businesses while continuing to protect the public interest.” Another recent regulatory change under the strategy is to streamline approvals for on-farm anaerobic digestion facilities that treat up to 50 per cent off-farm materials, which includes organic waste materials from food processing and feed production. The changes will enable those facilities to be regulated under the Nutrient Management Act. That will lead to faster approval times and lower costs but environmental protection requirements will continue. The changes were effective Oct. 25. BF The changing face of Ontario's agricultural research DuPont adds to Chatham facility
Join the John Deere Antique Tractor Show in Palmerston Friday, July 25, 2025 The Upper Canada Two Cylinder Club is thrilled to announce that its annual John Deere Show will be held this weekend from July 25 to 27, 2025, in Palmerston, Ontario. The festivities kicked off with a John Deere Tractor Parade on the evening of Thursday, July 24, winding through... Read this article online
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
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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
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