Highbury Canco seeks provincial approval for tomato processing in Leamington

A market table featuring tomatoes in Vienna, Austria Monday, May 30, 2011. (AP / Ronald Zak)

The company which plans to take over some of the tomato processing when Heinz moves out of Leamington is seeking provincial approval.

Highbury Canco needs a license from the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission before it can start accepting tomatoes from local producers.

The commission is reviewing the application.

A panel must be satisfied Highbury has the facilities to handle the volume and financial resources to pay producers.

Canco hopes to have a decision before next week.