The N.S. Regulation 168/2025 amends the Pork Nova Scotia Regulations, originally established under N.S. Reg. 123/2016 pursuant to the Natural Products Act. The amendment’s primary purpose is to update and clarify definitions, levy collection procedures, reporting requirements, and record-keeping obligations for producers, contract growers, livestock dealers, brokers, and processors operating within the regulated area of Nova Scotia. These changes reflect both administrative improvements and better oversight mechanisms to support the provincial pork industry.

Key modifications begin with Section 2, which delineates the scope of the regulations, specifying that they apply only to producers, contract growers, livestock dealers, and processors, except where otherwise noted. Section 4 introduces updated definitions for several critical terms. The term “breeder” now refers explicitly to boars, gilts, or sows intended for breeding, while “broker” is defined as a person who purchases a hog for resale. Additional definitions establish “Commodity Board” to mean Pork Nova Scotia, as constituted under the Plan, and “processor licence” as the authorization issued to processors to handle hogs or pork. This clarification of terminology strengthens the regulatory framework and ensures consistent interpretation across all stakeholders.

Section 5 replaces the phrase “pork or a hog” with “hogs,” standardizing language throughout the regulations. Section 16 introduces discretionary language by replacing “must” with “may,” allowing for greater flexibility in compliance actions. Section 17 is revised to emphasize that producers marketing hogs in the regulated area are required to pay a levy in accordance with Sections 17 through 20. The levy framework itself is comprehensively updated through the replacement of Sections 18 to 25. Producers are now required to submit monthly levy payments alongside marketing reports whenever they slaughter hogs, market them through booking systems, sell to dealers or brokers, sell to processors, or have hogs slaughtered by a processor for a fee while retaining the pork. Flexibility is permitted for alternative reporting schedules if agreed in writing with the Commodity Board.

The regulations also strengthen reporting and record-keeping requirements. Producers must submit marketing reports in the form prescribed by the Commodity Board, including identifying information, reporting periods, contact signatures, and the number of hogs marketed by location. Licensed individuals must maintain records for three years concerning all transactions and for two years regarding hog production.

Overall, N.S. Reg. 168/2025 modernizes the governance of Nova Scotia’s pork industry by refining definitions, improving levy collection, clarifying reporting obligations, and reinforcing the record-keeping standards essential to regulatory compliance and effective market oversight. It strengthens Pork Nova Scotia’s capacity to administer its programs while providing producers and other stakeholders with clear and actionable guidance.

Nova Scotia (168/2025) September 3, 2025
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