Flowers Canada is seeking approval to increase its licensing fees.
Growers have until May 15 to register comments with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and/or the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission.
The fee increase would be rolled out over two years:
• Year One, increase the producer fee from the current 2.5 cents to 3.5 cents per square foot. Producers with operations greater than 850,000 square feet would be obligated to pay no more than $29,750.
• Year Two and subsequent years, increase the producer fee from 3.5 cents to 4 cents per square foot. Producers with operations greater than 850,000 square feet would be obligated to pay no more than $34,000.
If made, the proposed amendments are anticipated to come into effect on July 1, 2023. The fees would provide FCO with revenues from licence fees of approximately $1,000,000 annually by the second year to support the activities desired by the members to enhance the profitability and competitiveness of the sector.
Ontario greenhouse floriculture producers of less than 20,000 square feet would continue to be exempt from mandatory participation and payment of licence fees.
