Ontario Pesticide Education Program

I am a farmer as defined in Regulation 63/09. I own or operate an agricultural operation as defined in Regulation 63/09 on a regular basis. 

Is Your Farm an “Agricultural Operation” as Defined Under Regulation 63/09?

Section 1. (1) of Regulation 63/09 under the Pesticides Act defines an “agricultural operation”:  “Agricultural operation” means an agricultural, aqua-cultural or horticultural operation and, subject to subsection (2), includes any of the following activities done for the purposes of any of those operations:
a)  Growing, producing or raising farm animals
b) The production of agricultural crops, including greenhouse crops, maple syrup, mushrooms, nursery stock, tobacco, trees and turf grass, and any additional agricultural crops prescribed by the regulations made under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002.
c) The production of eggs, cream and milk.
d) The operation of agricultural machinery and equipment.
e) The processing by a farmer of the products produced primarily from the farmer’s agricultural operation.
f) Activities that are a necessary but ancillary part of an agricultural operation such as the use of transport vehicles or storage containers or maintenance of a shelterbelt for the purposes of the agricultural operation.
g) The management of materials containing nutrients for farm purposes.
h) The production of wood from a farm woodlot, if at least one of the activities described in paragraphs 1-7 is carried out on the property where the farm woodlot is located;

Section 1. (2) For the purposes of the definition of agricultural operation in subsection (1), production does not include,
a) Production primarily for use or consumption by members of the household of the owner or operator of the agricultural operation;
b) Production primarily for the purposes of a pastime or recreation;
c) Production related to the growing of trees in a Crown forest;
d) Production related to the growing of plants in a park, cemetery, on a lawn or similar location where plants are grown primarily for display purposes; or
e) Production related to the growing of agricultural crops in a park, on a property used primarily for residential purposes or in a garden located in a public space

Still not sure? If you would like more information on whether you qualify to take this course, please contact a Pesticides Specialist near you.