January 1, 2022 the NB Farm Production Comission implemented the new Milk Quality Penalty Regulation

This is the common penalty system imposed on all producers from Ontario to Prince Edward Island.

This policy includes a shut off policy after multiple penalties.

We encourage you to become familiar with this policy to avoid this situation.

 

Penalty errors between January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022.

The FPC recently discovered that they neglected to impose the new penalty rates between January 1, 2022 and July, 2022.

As a result, the FPC has informed those producers of that error and the additional penalties that are applicable.

The FPC has directed DFNB to collect those additional penalties from the affected producers on their July milk statement.

 

Milk Quality Regulation changes summary:

SCC, SPC, LPC penalties are triggered when the FPC determines that 40% of a producer’s SCC,SPC,LPC tests in any “3” consecutive month period exceeded (400,000; 50,000; 1,000):

Note:  The first “3” month period will start November 1, 2021.

Financial penalties will be applied as follows:

1st penalty in 12 months results in penalty equal to 4% of the gross value of milk in the month that the penalty occurred.

2nd penalty in 12 months increases to 5% of gross value

3rd will be 6%

4th remains at 6% penalty and a minimum 6 day shutoff of milk pickups, pickups resume later of 6 days or when raw milk meets all milk quality standards.

5th continues with the 6% penalty and a minimum 12 day shutoff, pickups resume later of 12 days or when raw milk meets all milk quality standards and successful farm inspection.

6th has the 6% penalty and a minimum 24 day shutoff, pickups resume following Commission review of producer circumstances.

 

Added Water penalties are triggered when the FPC determines that a Producer’s test in any “1” month contained Added Water:

Financial penalties will be applied as follows:

1st penalty in 12 months results in penalty equal to 4% of the gross value of milk in the month that the penalty occurred.

2nd penalty in 12 months increases to 5% of gross value

3rd will be 6%

4th remains at 6% penalty and a minimum 6 day shutoff of milk pickups, pickups resume later of 6 days or when raw milk meets all milk quality standards.

5th continues with the 6% penalty and a minimum 12 day shutoff, pickups resume later of 12 days or when raw milk meets all milk quality standards and successful farm inspection.

6th has the 6% penalty and a minimum 24 day shutoff, pickups resume following Commission review of producer circumstances.

 

Inhibitor penalties are triggered when the FPC determines that a Producer’s test in any “1” month contained Inhibitors:

Financial penalties will be applied as follows:

1st penalty in 12 months results in penalty equal to 8% of the gross value of milk in the month that the penalty occurred.

2nd penalty in 12 months increases to 12% of gross value

3rd will be 16%

4th remains at 16% penalty and a minimum 6 day shutoff of milk pickups, pickups resume later of 6 days or when raw milk meets all milk quality standards.

5th continues with the 16% penalty and a minimum 12 day shutoff, pickups resume later of 12 days or when raw milk meets all milk quality standards and meets ProAction program requirements.

6th has the 16% penalty and a minimum 24 day shutoff, pickups resume following Commission review of producer circumstances.

 

Shut-Off Period

During a shut-off period a bulk tank milk grader shall not transfer raw milk from a farm bulk tank to a milk truck without the approval of the Commission.A producer wanting to be considered for a re-evaluation of a shut-off after a third shut-off must:Submit an application to the Commission to explain their exceptional circumstances and; Demonstrate that the appropriate measures have been taken to deliver raw milk that meets the applicable shut-off reinstatement requirements set out in this order.A producer who has been subject to a third shut-off period shall only be permitted to supply raw milk for distribution to a dairy plant if the Commission determines the producer’s circumstances to be exceptional and all applicable shut-off reinstatement requirements have been met.