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).

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). If you have recently made any of the following changes to your operation, an application for an Amended licence for the operation of a dairy plant must also be submitted: 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; or changes to the type of plant operated.

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.

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.

No person shall make an alteration with respect to a meat plant unless the operator of the plant has given written notice of the proposed alteration to a director at least 30 days before making the alteration.

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”.