Agribusiness & Food
MLT Aikins is consistently ranked as one of Canada’s top law firms in agribusiness (Chambers Canada). We have extensive experience, deep technical knowledge and a true awareness of the emerging issues, challenges and opportunities in this sector.
We are a trusted legal adviser to a wide range of food, beverage and agriculture clients all across Canada, which includes crop input companies, grain handling companies, feed companies, equipment manufacturers and dealers, trade organizations, marketing boards, co-operatives, insurers, food processors, co-packers, producers, retailers and distributors.
We look forward to learning how we can help your agribusiness grow.
What's New
How we help
Our lawyers provide legal advice tailored to the business and practical considerations of Canada’s agribusiness and food sector. We understand the business landscape — the local and regional geography as well as the cross-jurisdictional frameworks. We have a nuanced understanding of the regulatory and legal issues affecting this dynamic sector — issues that impact the daily lives of growers, ranchers and consumers.
We help our agribusiness and food clients raise capital, secure strategic alliances and structure joint ventures. We represent our clients in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and all steps leading up to and resulting from such transactions. We also have experience putting together a broad range of agreements, including manufacturing and supply agreements, research and development agreements, material transfer agreements, testing, trial and evaluation agreements, and research funding, grant, collaboration and contribution agreements.
We support clients in devising innovative business structures, securing funding and assisting with project procurement and construction. Our lawyers have worked closely with co-operatives, crop companies, chemical companies, fertilizer manufacturers and distributors, ag-biotech companies, plant breeders, research organizations, feedlots, livestock operations, ethanol plants, food processing facilities and other agribusiness organizations.
We help our clients meet regulatory, licensing and certification requirements while working with regulators to facilitate ongoing compliance. We advise on matters regarding compliance with governmental regulations and guidelines, such as those administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency and Health Canada.
In addition, our tax lawyers assist our agribusiness clients with tax-related matters, including the unique issues non-profit organizations can face.
We have extensive experience advising on legal matters related to agricultural technology. As emerging technologies shape the future of production, we help clients evolve and transform their products and services while complying with provincial and federal regulatory requirements.
We support our clients in their dedication to innovation and technology in agriculture. We help businesses advance their initiatives to discover, develop, register and bring new products to market. We are invested in staying up-to-date with the specific nuances of agtech and Western Canada’s role as an innovation hub.
We assist our clients with intellectual property protection, management and commercialization. We offer support in patent, trademark and plant breeders rights, including licensing and policy development. Our team supports a wide range of innovations, including mechanical advancements, novel seed and chemical technologies and semi-autonomous farm machinery.
MLT Aikins lawyers offer comprehensive solutions and insights, working closely with regulators to help food, beverage and related manufacturing clients achieve their objectives. We have experience in various areas, including financing, franchising, licensing and more.
Manufacturing and selling food and beverage products is primarily governed by the federal Food and Drugs Act and Safe Food for Canadians Act. Each province and territory has also enacted legislation concerning agricultural and food production applicable to their jurisdiction. We help food, beverage and agribusiness leaders plot a course through these complex regulations while they build reputational strength and consumer recognition.
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