Notifying the ministry of alterations to provincially licensed meat plants
Learn when provincially licensed abattoirs and freestanding meat plants must notify the ministry about changes to operations.
Overview
If you operate a provincially licensed meat plant, you must notify the ministry before making any alterations to your meat plant or the regulated activities you conduct. Under O. Reg. 31/05 (Meat), an alteration may include:
- changes that require a building permit
- significant changes made to your facilities, equipment, premises or licensed activities
- changes to the name of the person or corporation that are operators of the plant
How to submit a notice of alteration
Begin the notification process early to allow time for the ministry to review your submission and respond.
Step 1: Contact your area manager
Contact your area manager with information about your planned alterations before any work begins. Your area manager will:
- discuss your proposed changes
- provide you with a meat plant alteration submission package
Meat plant alteration submission package
This package includes:
- Notice of Proposed Alteration form
- Plans Review Submission Checklist
Step 2: Submit your package
Your submission must include:
- a completed Notice of Proposed Alteration form
- a completed Plans Review Submission Checklist
- all required plans and specifications
Step 3: Assessment
Technical review
Your plans and specifications will undergo a technical review by the ministry to determine if your proposed changes appear to meet regulatory requirements under the Meat Regulation and the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001.
Your area manager will:
- share any concerns or missing details
- provide guidance regarding any required amendments to your plans and specifications
“Appears to meet letter”
Once your area manager verifies that all potential issues have been addressed, you will receive an “appears to meet” letter confirming your proposed changes appear to meet regulatory requirements.
You should not begin any alterations until you receive this letter. You are responsible for ensuring your meat plant complies with other applicable legislation such as the Ontario Building Code, including obtaining necessary permits.
Field inspection
Notify your area manager when the alterations are complete. They will schedule a pre-operational field inspection (with regional veterinarian if relevant), to confirm operational readiness and compliance with the Meat Regulation.
Step 4: Operational readiness
- if the inspection is satisfactory, your area manager will discuss resuming operations
- if the inspection is not satisfactory, your area manager will continue to work with you until compliance is met
Contact us
To discuss alterations to your meat plant, contact your Meat Inspection Program area manager.