OFA provided comments to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness regarding Proposed Amendments to Ontario Regulation 701/20 – General, made under the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020.
The Security from Trespass and Protection Food Safety Act, and the corresponding O. Reg 701/20 are critical in protecting livestock and poultry, farmers and agri-food employees, and the entire food system from risks created by trespassers who enter places where farm animals live, or who engage in unauthorized interactions with these animals.
OFA was pleased that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently upheld the Act in its entirety after a 2021 court challenge and that the legislation was determined to be completely constitutional.
OFA supports the government’s proposed amendments to sections of Ontario Regulation 701/20- General under the Act, which would clarify the definition of “harm to a farm animal”, and the provisions relating to false pretenses, and journalist and whistle-blower exceptions.