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Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program Changes Take Effect January 1st
December 22, 2025
The Ontario government has finalized a series of changes to the Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program (formerly the Livestock Financial Protection Program), with most provisions coming into force on January 1, 2026. These changes are intended to strengthen financial protection for beef cattle sellers in the event of non-payment by a licensed dealer.
Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) worked extensively with the province throughout the consultation and policy development process, which began in 2021. This included ongoing discussions with OMAFA in response to two joint policy submissions (see below) from BFO, the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association, the Ontario Livestock Dealers Association, and the Ontario Livestock Auction Markets Association. The vast majority of the issues and recommendations raised by industry were addressed or reflected in the final program changes, representing a meaningful step forward.
While BFO views these changes as improvements, we continue to press the province on several outstanding concerns. These include the need for an updated actuarial study to assess long-term health of the fund and whether the current levy adequately covers current and future risks, the cap on claims for dealers, which remains woefully inadequate under current market prices despite industry’s repeated objections to the current cap, the need for greater rigor to ensure sellers are truly protected, and stronger measures to discourage late payments.
Members are encouraged to review the information sheet below for full details on what has changed, how the new rules will be implemented, and what they may mean for producers, dealers, and the program moving forward.
outline of changes
BFO Submissions to OMAFA
- BFO, OCFA, OLAMA and OLDA Comment on Protecting Farmers from Non-Payment Act, 2023, Regulatory Consultations (2024)
- BFO, OCFA, OLAMA and OLDA Comment on Protecting Farmers from Non-Payment Act, 2023, Regulatory Consultations (2023)
For more information or to discuss the changes, please contact BFO's Executive Director, Richard Horne by email or by calling the BFO office.