SecureFeed 08-03c-1: Instruction for Revision of Country Classification in D-25

1. Purpose

In accordance with the manual document I-08-03c ‘Aflatoxin protocol for maize and maize by-products', the cultivation countries of maize are subdivided into 3 categories per harvest year: High, Medium and Low.

Handbook document D-25 shows the current risk classification for maize and maize by-products of different countries for the current harvest year (and previous harvest years if applicable).

This protocol describes the working method SecureFeed uses to revise this risk classification and thus the country classification.

2. Process Owner

Programme Manager Conformity Assessment (PM-C)

3. References

See documents:

• I-08-03c Aflatoxin protocol for maize and maize by-products
• D-25 Risk classification of countries maize and maize by-products
• F-24 Resultaten Monitoring Aflatoxine en Mycotoxinen

4. Revision of Risk Classification for New Harvests

SecureFeed determines annually, at the beginning of the new harvest season, whether maize and maize by-products from a certain country of origin are classified in the correct risk group.

The following principles are used:

1. The starting point for the classification into risk groups of countries of origin for a new harvest year is the classification as established by GMP+ FSA in its Aflatoxin Protocol for Maize for the harvest year in question.
2. SecureFeed's own risk classification is equal to or higher than the GMP+ FSA classification, never lower.
3. As long as there is no new classification of risk groups, the country classification of the previous harvest year applies.

A. Instruction to the Participants

The following points are important in this regard:

1. In order to obtain sufficiently reliable analysis results in a short period of time, participants must analyse or have analysed a good average sample for aflatoxin B1 from each of the first three batches of maize they receive originating from a low-risk country¹.
2. The result of each of these analyses should be completed immediately in form F-24 Resultaten Monitoring Aflatoxine en Mycotoxinen and then sent via e-mail to monitoring@securefeed.eu.
3. The participant must ensure that these first three deliveries do not originate from the same batch.
4. Also when trucks are received, it should be avoided that the three deliveries to be sampled and analysed come from one and the same batch.

¹ This obligation does not apply to batches of silage maize and CCM from low-risk countries.

e. This three-party rule applies to each country of origin. If one receives e.g. German and Belgian maize, then the first three shipments of German maize and the first three shipments of Belgian maize will be sampled and analysed.

f. In order to achieve a reliable analytical result, sampling should be carried out according to the provisions applicable to maize from Medium risk countries as laid down in I-08-03c.

g. Shippers of maize are asked to share information on countries of origin with SecureFeed.

B. Working Method of the Secretariat

Based on the results of these analyses, SecureFeed will proceed as follows:

1. At least one analysis is required to increase the Risk Classification (Low to Medium or Medium to High).
2. For lowering the risk classification (Medium to Low or High to Medium), at least 50 analyses are necessary, whereby these 50 analyses can come from:
   • Or 50 lighters (regardless of size)
   • Or 50 trains (regardless of size)
   • Or 500 trucks
   • Or a combination of the above analyses, where every 10 analyses of trucks are equated to one lighter (4 analyses/lighter) / train.
3. SecureFeed assesses the provided analysis results and determines the correct risk classification of a country of origin.
4. Countries are (re)classified on the basis of the following criteria:

e. GMP+ International will be informed if the assessment leads to a reduction. (SecureFeed will not adjust its classification; not even when GMP+ maintains its classification).

f. Batches originating from countries of origin whose risk classification has been lowered from medium to low are temporarily subject to additional monitoring as follows:

1. SecureFeed analyses 5 samples/month from these countries (= 5 lighters; = 50 trucks, or a combination of these, where 10 analyses of a lorry-loaded batch are equated to an analysed lighter (4 analyses/lighter)).

5. Revision of Risk Group Classification During the Year

a. During the year, the RC can be increased or decreased.

b. The increase or decrease shall take effect as soon as the conditions laid down for it have been met.