Agribusiness & Food Production

Leading the way in Canadian agribusiness and food production

Miller Thomson’s Agribusiness & Food Production group is at the forefront of Canada’s agricultural industry. We provide comprehensive legal guidance across all segments of this sector, from farmers and producers to food manufacturers, packagers, and end consumers.

Comprehensive legal support

Agribusiness and food production present a myriad of complex legal challenges. Our team, recognized with a prestigious Band 1 ranking from Chambers Canada, brings together lawyers from various practice areas to address both corporate/commercial and litigation issues faced by our clients.

Tailored legal solutions

We offer a wide range of services across Canada, including:

Marketing boards and commissions
Livestock, plant, and crop production
Agriculture lending as well as enforcement and recoveries
Commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and securities matters
Litigation support
Business organization, structuring and development
Land use planning and environmental issues

Government liability matters
Grain law
Food labeling and safety
Marketing and transportation
Intellectual property protection
Farm succession planning and tax issues

Notable matters

Successful federal court administrative challenge of CFIA refusal to compensate livestock owners
Litigation of damage claims resulting from recall of food products.
Representation of various provincial poultry associations in disputes and negotiations with regulating authorities.
Advice regarding foreign ownership of agricultural land.
Transactional and competition advice in the acquisition of significant processing facilities.
Advisors to micro-breweries in manufacturing, distribution and licensing matters.
Creation and capitalization of agricultural cooperatives.
Litigation arising from failure to comply with USDA import standards for food products.
Estate freeze and succession planning for family farms
Advice in the creation of farming corporations and holding corporations.
Representation of boards and commissions across Canada.
Advice relating to regulatory matters, food safety, labelling/packaging; Import/Export regulations
Advice regarding warehouse agreements, grower agreements, packing and co-packing agreements, and export and distribution agreements.
Environmental advice related to growing/processing operations, including environmental charges and water rights
Advising agricultural clients on labour and employment issues
Advice on agricultural land generally