Dairy licence, permit and certificate applications
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)
- an existing licensed plant is changing locations
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 Agribusiness 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.
To apply for a dairy plant licence, complete the application form.
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.
To renew your dairy plant licence, complete the application form.
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
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
Follow the instructions on the form.
Goat renewal of a bulk tank milk grader certificate (new or renewal)
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. A goat bulk tank milk grader certificate is required for the grading, sampling, measuring and collection of raw goat milk from farm bulk tanks in Ontario.
To apply for a certificate (goat milk), submit the application and mark it as new.
To renew your certificate (goat milk), submit the application and mark it as a renewal.
Form
Application for renewal of a goat bulk tank milk grader certificate
Follow the instructions on the form.
Plant milk grader certificate (new or renewal)
A plant milk grader certificate is required to grade and receive raw cow milk and raw goat milk delivered to dairy processing plants in Ontario.
To apply for a plant milk grader certificate, submit the application and mark it as new.
To renew your plant milk grader certificate, submit the application and mark it as a renewal. You must renew your plant milk grader certificate before it expires.
Form
Application for a plant milk grader certificate
Follow the instructions on the form.
Non-shopkeeper distributor licence (new or renewal)
You must hold 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 Agribusiness 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.
To apply for a non-shopkeeper distributor licence, submit the application and mark it as new.
To renew your non-shopkeeper distributor licence, submit the application and mark it as a renewal. You must apply for renewal at least 60 days before the expiry date on the existing licence.
Form
Application for a non-shopkeeper distributor licence
Follow the instructions on the form.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact dairyfoodsafety@ontario.ca.