Cutting Red-Tape For Agri-Food Industry - McGuinty Government Reduces Regulatory Burden, Improves Services For Farms, Agri-Food Businesses

NEWS	August 26, 2011

Ontario is taking action to improve the way farmers and agri-food businesses work with government by cutting red-tape.

Through the Open for Business strategy, the McGuinty government has reduced the number of regulatory burdens on the agri-food industry by 28 per cent. These include:

• Replacing 30 year-old legislation and introducing a new Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation program for livestock farmers
• Streamlining the application process and review of permits to take water and municipal drainage projects
• Improving consistency and training for Ministry of Transportation enforcement officers over the use of farm vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act
• Strengthening the one-window approach with Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs handling more enquiries that fall under other ministries
• Starting a government-industry forum, co-chaired by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

These and other commitments are included in the Business Sector Strategy: Agriculture and Agri-Food report, which responds to the sector's priorities for regulatory reform. The report was developed in partnership with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Reducing the red-tape on our farmers and agri-food sector is part of the McGuinty government's plan to create a more competitive environment for businesses, while supporting jobs for Ontario families.

QUOTES

"This is another great example of how the McGuinty government is working with farmers and the agri-food sector. By working together to cut red-tape, we're making it easier for farmers to do business, growing our agi-food sector, and making sure that Ontario families can continue to enjoy the good things that grow in Ontario. "
- Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"Through our Business Sector Strategy, we've established an open dialogue and collaborative relationship between government and key business stakeholders. We're reducing the regulatory burden in the province to save businesses both time and money, helping our economy to continue to turn the corner."
- Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade

"The Open for Business initiative demonstrates how positive change can take place quickly when industry and government work together with a common purpose. We are very pleased with the results. We congratulate the Ontario government for initiating real regulatory reform in our sector."
- Bette Jean Crews, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario's farm outputs contributed $22 billion in gross economic stimulus to Ontario in 2009
• Ontario's $34 billion food and beverage processing sector, a vital part of the agri-food chain, employs more than 110,000 directly and over 100,000 Ontarians in related industries
• Open for Business is a government strategy to create a more open and responsive working relationship between business and government in order to generate economic growth, create jobs for Ontario families, and protect the public interest.
  

LEARN MORE

• Ontario's Business Sector Strategy
• The Business Sector Strategy for Agriculture and Agri-Food