Dairy plant licences, permits and dairy certificates
New licence for the operation of a dairy plant
A new licence is required prior to beginning the operations of a dairy plant including:
- When a facility is being licensed for the first time
- When an existing licensed plant is transferred to a new owner (transfer of ownership)
An "Application for a Permit to Construct or Alter a Building Intended for Use as a Dairy Plant – For New Applicants" must be submitted at the same time as an “Application for a Licence for the Operation of a Plant”. Note, the licence will not be issued until the plant is complete and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has confirmed, through inspection, that it meets all applicable regulations under the Milk Act (Ontario).
Please follow instructions on the form.
Renewal of a licence for the operation of a dairy plant
Dairy plant licences must be renewed annually. An application for a licence for the operation of a dairy plant must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the expiry date on an existing licence (s. 95(4), Regulation 761 – Milk and Milk Products under the Milk Act).
An application for an Amended licence for the operation of a dairy plant must also be submitted if you recently made:
- changes to the classes or subclasses of cow’s milk processed at the plant
- changes to the species of animal (cow or goat) that produce the milk processed at the plant
- changes to the type of plant operated
Please follow instructions on the form.
Amended licence for the operation of a dairy plant
An application is required to make changes to the species of milk used, type of plant, milk class or subclass at a licenced dairy plant receiving cow milk. Details of these changes are provided in Regulation 761, s.96(2) under the Milk Act (Ontario).
If these changes require alterations or modifications to a plant you must also submit an “Application for a Permit to Construct or Alter a Building Intended for use as a Dairy Plant – For Existing Applicants”.
Please follow instructions on the form.
Permit to construct or alter a building intended for use as a dairy plant (for new applicants)
Prior to beginning construction of a new dairy plant an "Application for a Permit to Construct or Alter a Building Intended for Use as a Dairy Plant – for New Applicants" must be completed and submitted and approved by the Director. 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 (Ontario).
An “Application for a Licence for the Operation of a Plant” must also be submitted with this permit application.
Please follow instructions on the form.
Permit to construct or alter a building intended for use as a dairy plant (for existing applicants)
Prior to beginning alterations to an existing dairy plant, an "Application for a Permit to Construct or Alter a Building Intended for Use as a Dairy Plant – for Existing Licensed Plants" must be completed and submitted and approved by the Director. This 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 (Ontario). In some cases an “Application for an Amended Licence for the Operation of a Dairy Plant” may also be required.
Please follow instructions on the form.
Bulk tank milk grader (goat) certificate
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.
Apply for a Goat Bulk Tank Milk Grader Certificate.
Please follow instructions on the form.
More information
For more information, visit the Dairy Food Safety Program webpage.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact dairyfoodsafety@ontario.ca.