The Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec ordered milk-collection safeguards following excessive somatic-cell counts in Les Producteurs de lait du Québec (PLQ) et Ferme Rikijour inc., Agropur Coopérative et Conseil des industriels laitiers du Québec, Decision 13248, dated October 29, 2026.

The consented terms require at least 30 consecutive production days without deliveries from October 10. PLQ reported eight non-compliant tests over three months and a fifth penalty in 12 months: $5 per hectolitre of September milk. The standard was 400,000 cells per millilitre.

Earlier safeguards return

October repeated these core safeguards from Decision 13196, dated August 13, 2026:

August required the farm, before restarting, to establish at least 12 months’ Lactanet enrolment from resumed production; prepare a veterinarian-recommended milking method and order, with a report to PLQ; and submit compliant somatic-cell, bacterial, freezing-point and antibiotic-residue test results.

After restarting, August’s requirements included monthly Lactanet advice for at least six months while results remain compliant; use of milking equipment whose operation a dealer or trained Lactanet adviser has checked; adherence to the veterinary milking plan; and monthly veterinary follow-up.

By the tenth of each following month, PLQ had to receive test dates and results plus adviser and veterinary visit dates. The farm had to follow the conditions and meet the somatic-cell standard for 12 months.

The August ruling applied section 43 of the agricultural marketing statute, which permits orders where conduct risks obstructing approved marketing arrangements.

Changed requirements

The August order followed a suspension beginning August 9, with a minimum of 24 consecutive production days. It also required a specialist’s report, less than six months old, on the equipment’s washing system.

October instead requires a specialist’s report, less than six months old, on the milking system and method. Compliance and resumed deliveries are not established by the order.