Tractors
OFA successful in lobby against tire stewardship fee increases

April 24, 2013, Ontario – The provincial government has approved the reclassification of agricultural tires proposed by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).

On April 1, 2013 a sharp increase in stewardship fees was introduced by Ontario Tire Stewardship. These fees are intended to fully cover the costs of recycling tires, including costs of collections and transportation to a recycling facility. Some farm businesses would have seen increases of up to 400 per cent on tire stewardship fees.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) responded to the concerns of members and lobbied the provincial government because this drastic rate increase would unfairly penalize farm businesses, costing them thousands of additional dollars in extra fees each year.

As a result of OFA’s lobby efforts, as well as working together with Ontario Tire Stewardship and industry stakeholders, a reclassification of agricultural tires was proposed that would see short-term relief for the estimated 75 per cent of agricultural tires that weigh less than 250 kilograms. On April 18, the provincial government approved the reclassification.

Retroactive to April 1, 2013, Class 6 and 7 agricultural tires (70 to 250 kilograms) carry a $47.04 stewardship fee per tire and Class 8 and higher agricultural tires (anything over 250 kilograms) have a $182.28 stewardship fee per tire.

View the complete reclassification of agricultural tires here.

April 24, 2013  By Stefanie Croley