Processor and dealer licences for regulated commodities

Overview

According to the Farm Products Marketing Act (FPMA), processors and dealers of regulated commodities in Ontario are licensed to comply with marketing board regulations and pricing orders.

A “processor” is defined under each commodity’s marketing regulation as a person engaged in the business of processing that commodity.

A “dealer” is defined under the Seed Corn marketing regulation as a person who contracts with a producer for the production of seed-corn.

You can find the specific definitions at the beginning of each regulation, under the FPMA.

Processing regulated commodities without a licence is a contravention of the FPMA and regulations.

Who needs a licence

You may require a processor or dealer licence if you process or deal one of the six regulated commodities.

The commission provides processor and dealer licences for six regulated commodities including:

• asparagus processor licence
• grapes processor licence
• potatoes processor licence
• tender fruit processor licence, includes:
  • apricots
  • nectarines
  • peaches
  • pears
  • plums
  • sour cherries
  • sweet cherries
• vegetable processor licence, includes:
  • green and wax beans
  • lima beans
  • red beets
  • cabbage (does not include cabbage used for coleslaw)
  • carrots
  • cauliflower
  • sweet corn
  • cucumbers
  • Spanish-type onions used for onion rings
  • green peas
  • peppers
  • pumpkin
  • squash
  • tomatoes
• seed corn dealer licence

For some regulated commodities, the Ontario Farm Product Marketing Commission delegates the authority for licensing to the marketing board for that specific commodity.

How to apply

1. Fill out the application form for your commodity:
   • asparagus, grapes, potatoes, tender fruit or vegetables
   • seed corn
2. Gather the required additional information listed in the application form.
3. Email your application form and documents to OFPMC@ontario.ca.

Call the commission at 519-826-4220 if you need any help completing the application.

After you apply

After your application is received, the commission and appropriate marketing board will review it.

If there are any objections, the commission may hold a hearing to consider whether a licence should be issued.

Licence expiry

Processor and dealer licences are issued for either one- or five-year terms.

Validity

Once a processor or dealer has been issued a licence, it remains valid unless:

• the processor or dealer fails to comply with the licensing criteria
• the processor or dealer ceases operation
• there is a change in asset ownership within the business

If the processor or dealer ceases operation or if there is a change in asset ownership, the existing licence is no longer valid and must be surrendered. The new operator must apply for a new licence.