Dairy plant licence

A buyer of a dairy processor, cheese maker or bottler meets this term because the Milk Industry Act bars operating a dairy plant without a licence. This entry covers British Columbia only; check the rules where you are, and note that federal food licensing may also apply.

What the BC rules say

The Milk Industry Act says a person must not operate a dairy plant unless the person is in possession of a subsisting licence issued to the person under the Act, subject to any exemption made under the Act. The Act lets the minister, in accordance with standards and qualifications established by the regulations, issue licences for the operation of dairy plants, to dairy plant personnel and to bulk tank milk graders. Under the Milk Industry Standards Regulation, a person applies for a dairy plant licence, or its renewal, by written application to the minister. The provincial government states that dairy farms are inspected and licensed under the Act and that regulation.

Questions for a sale

The licence is issued to a person, so ask whose name is on it and how a new owner applies to the minister for its own. If the deal includes a dairy farm, note that the Regulation says certificates of approval, which are issued for approved dairy farms, are not transferable. Ask whether staff hold the dairy plant process worker licences the Regulation provides for, and about supply arrangements for milk.

See what licences and permits transfer when I buy a business, and the entries on the Safe Food for Canadians licence and provincially licensed meat plants.