This amending order made by Egg Farmers of New Brunswick repeals and replaces Order 1 under the Egg Plan and Levies Regulation, establishing a comprehensive new Licensing Order governing the production and marketing of eggs in the province. Made pursuant to the Natural Products Act, the Order consolidates licensing requirements, reporting obligations, compliance mechanisms, and enforcement powers for all key participants in the egg supply chain, while aligning provincial oversight with national supply management frameworks administered by Egg Farmers of Canada.

The Licensing Order defines a broad set of terms to clearly delineate regulated activities and actors, including producers, hatchery operators, hatchery supply flock operators, grading station operators, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. It specifies the types of birds, flocks, facilities, eggs, and hatching operations subject to regulation, ensuring consistency in interpretation and administration. Particular attention is given to differentiating between eggs produced for consumption and hatching eggs destined for chick production, reflecting the distinct regulatory and reporting needs of each segment.

The Order establishes a general prohibition on engaging in the production, marketing, or combined production and marketing of eggs without first obtaining the appropriate licence from the Board and paying the prescribed annual fee. Licensing is required for producers, chick hatchery operators, hatchery supply flock operators, grading station operators, and wholesalers. A limited exemption applies to small-scale producers with fewer than 200 layers housed separately from other birds, provided their eggs are not sent to a grading station.

The Order standardizes annual licence fees at $100 for each licence category, simplifying administration and ensuring consistent cost recovery across regulated participants. It also introduces robust reporting obligations tailored to each licence class. Grading station operators must submit weekly reports detailing egg volumes by grade and size, sources, inter-station transfers, and interprovincial movements. Hatchery supply flock operators are required to file weekly reports on hatching egg production and disposition, as well as monthly reports on chick movements within the province. Chick hatchery operators must provide monthly reports on egg setting, hatch dates, and chick destinations, while licensed producers must submit monthly reports on flock numbers and facility-level bird counts.

To support verification and compliance, licensees are required to retain records for a minimum of two years and provide access to books, accounts, and facilities upon request. The Board is granted explicit authority to verify submitted information and take appropriate steps to ensure accuracy. A graduated enforcement framework is established for late or inaccurate reporting, beginning with written warnings and escalating to monetary penalties and licence suspension. The Board may also suspend or revoke licences for broader non-compliance, including failure to report, provide truthful information, or permit inspections, with discretion to reinstate licences once issues are resolved.

New Brunswick (Order 1) December 16, 2025
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and does not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.