GTAS Bulk Storage 2015 v6.0

VERSION 6.
BULK STORAGE AND HANDLING
VERSION 6.0
Code of Practice for

Bulk Storage and Handling
Effective from: 1st April 2015
GTAS Bulk Storage and Handling Manual.

Published by Gafta: GTAS © Version 6.0
effective from 1st April 2015
CONTENTS
2 Introduction
2 Definitions, Scope and Store Eligibility
2 Biomass
2 EU Renewable Energy Directive
3 International Database for Transport of Feed
3 Records
3 Loading and Discharge Handling Operations
4 Statutory Requirements
4 Food and Feed Premises Registration Regulations
4 Registration of Storekeepers under EU TSE Regulations
4 HACCP
4 The Store
5 Cleaning the Store
6 Contracting Out
6 Insurance
6 Storage Operations
7 Liquid Feed
7 Requirements for Feed Material Packing Operations in Assured Stores
9 Pest and Vermin Control
9 Store Management of All Goods
10 Drying, Cleaning, Conditioning and Blending of Goods
11 Simple Processing
11 Monitoring of Undesirable Substances
12 Use of Pesticides and Fumigants
12 Customer Requirements
12 Acceptance of a Storage Order
12 Incoming Goods
13 Outgoing Goods
13 Personnel
14 Training
14 Security
14 Procedures and Instructions
14 Self-Assessment Procedures
15 Material Recall and Crisis Management
15 Complaints Procedure
15 Arbitration
16 Appendix 1: General Definitions

18 Appendix 2: Introduction to HACCP
25 Appendix 3: Cleaning Methods
26 Appendix 4: Salmonella Sampling and Testing Procedure
27 Appendix 5: EU Renewable Energy Directive Manual
33 Appendix 6: International Database for Transport of Feed (IDTF)
34 Appendix 7: Guidance Note for the Control of Birds
GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME 1

1.0 Introduction
Goods that are traded within the international grain and feed trade are handled and stored a number of times.
The manner in which this takes place is vital to maintain the original quality and condition of the goods and the
prevention of contamination that might render the goods unfit for their intended use.
2.0 Definition, Scope and Store Eligibility

This Code of Practice comprises a set of minimum standards which storekeepers must achieve when storing
and handling goods, including imports and exports, which are, or may be, intended for human consumption
after processing or which are intended to enter the food chain either for direct feeding to livestock or for
incorporation into animal feedingstuffs.
Definitions relating to this Manual are set out in Appendix 1.
Key Standards
Standards marked with a "K" in the left hand margin indicate a "key" standard. If an assessor finds a major
non-conformance against a key standard this shall result in suspension until rectified. See Scheme Operating
Protocols in Scheme Overview.
Records
Where an [R] appears in a standard this indicates that a record(s) must be kept in relation to that standard.
See 6.0.
2.1 This Code of Practice is intended for premises that are dedicated to the storage of animal feed materials, (raw
materials and straight feeds, feed additives, etc., [as defined under the applicable Feedingstuffs Regulations]
intended as an animal feed material), combinable crops, (grain, pulses [peas and beans] and oilseeds (rapeseed
and linseed, as-grown cereal seeds and herbage seeds (grass, clover, etc.), pulse seeds and oilseeds for seed
processing,finished products and processed materials for food and/or feed purposes.
2.2 Stores that are not dedicated to the storage of combinable crops or animal feed materials shall be eligible for
approval under the following conditions:
a) Stores that have stored non food/feed material must be thoroughly cleaned/disinfected. Risks posed by
K previously stored materials must be included in the store HACCP plan. [R]
b) No building previously used for housing of livestock of any kind or stores that have stored forbidden materials
K
(see 5.0) shall be used for the storage of goods unless the whole of the inside of the building including floors,
walls, roofs, roof trusses and fittings, have first been thoroughly cleaned to remove all organic material followed
by a thorough pressure cleaning with a hot (70-80C) solution of any combined food grade detergent/disinfectant,
diluted in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations dried and then approved by the Scheme Verifier
before use. [R]
c) No building previously used for other purposes that might possibly lead to contamination, taint, infestation or
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transmission of disease must be used for the storage of goods until adequate and appropriate cleaning and
disinfecting has been carried out in accordance with 2.2 b) [R]
2.3 Declaration and approval of store facilities is by each individually identifiable store. Any new shed/store wishing
to be certified must be notified to the certification body before introduction into the scheme. [R]
3.0 Biomass
3.1 Goods suitable for food and/or feed purposes that are intended for biomass use may be stored in the same way
as goods intended for use for food and/or feed.
3.2 Other materials intended for biomass use that are not suitable for use as food and/or feed may be stored in
premises certified under this Code of Practice after completion of a HACCP Risk Assessment form (available
from Gafta) to be submitted to Gafta for approval.
3.3 Risk Assessment forms must be specific regarding the source and description of the biomass commodity (for
which permission to store is being sought) since there may be variation between goods of the same general
description from different origins.
3.4 Approval where given is specific to each biomass commodity and for each source or origin of the material for
which the application is made. The completed HACCP risk assessment form and written approval from Gafta
must be retained and made available during any audit. There is no limit to the number of applications that can
be made or approvals given. [R]
4.0 EU Renewable Energy Directive

The EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC came into effect on 5th December 2010. This legislation
introduced targets for renewable energy in EU member states and enables the supply of feedstocks for biofuels
and bioliquids. The legislation applies to all goods intended to be classified as “sustainable”, for use as biofuel
2 GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME

and bioliquid in the EU which are intended to count towards national renewable energy targets.
Traders who procure and deliver goods for biofuels or bioliquids must be able to provide evidence that the
requirements of RED are being met, by production of a proof of sustainability, certificate or equivalent issued
under an EU approved certification scheme, for each consignment of goods supplied.
RED compliance is demonstrated by clearly annotated documentation accompanying goods in transit and by
cross checking compliance status with on-line databases. Where RED goods are involved the requirement to
operate a RED compliant mass balance system applies.
For detailed information about obtaining certification for compliance with the requirements of RED see Appendix 5.
5.0 International Database for Transport of Feed (IDTF)

The International Committee for Road Transport (ICRT) is a Committee of European Food/Feed Assurance
Scheme owners that operates the International Database for Transport of Feed (IDTF).
The Committee adopts a harmonised view on types of materials that can be transported and stored under the
codes of practice and agrees on suitable cleaning regimes. Where an agreement cannot be reached concerning
the acceptability and appropriate cleaning regime of a material then these are recorded as a list of differences
by scheme.
The IDTF is a database of over 3300 materials. GTAS includes the IDTF which replaces the Exclusion List and
Contaminant Sensitive List in previous versions of the scheme. www.icrt-idtf.com
The IDTF includes 6 categories under the heading of cleaning regimes which are:
(A) dry cleaning.
(B) cleaning with water.
(C) cleaning with water and a cleansing agent.
(D) cleaning and disinfection.
Forbidden.
List of Differences.
In addition to those items that are classified on the database as being forbidden, any materials not classified in
the IDTF are prohibited for storage or carriage.
See Appendix 3 for more information regarding Cleaning Methods

See Appendix 6 for more information regarding ICRT/IDTF.
6.0 Records
An important part of this Code of Practice is the need for verification that essential activities have taken place
at the appropriate time and by an appropriate person. Therefore it is essential that records (computerised
and/or hard copy) are kept and are available at all times for audit inspection.
6.1 An [R] in the text indicates where there is a requirement to keep a record. This is not an exhaustive indicator
and there may be a requirement for other records to be kept.
6.2 Internally produced records must be signed and dated by the person carrying out the task/activity.
6.3 Records must be legible and kept in suitable conditions that allow ready retrieval and prevent deterioration.
6.4 Records must be kept for a minimum of five years, unless there are additional requirements.
7.0 Loading and Discharge Handling Operations

Such operations can take place at port installations, primary processing plants, storage facilities, and elevators
(including floating elevators, tank terminals and ship to ship transfers). The operators of these facilities will be
responsible for the movement of the agricultural commodities in terms of maintaining their quality and integrity
during either the loading or discharge operation. In addition, the responsibility of ascertaining the weight of
agricultural commodities will be within their remit. (See Gafta Weighing Rules No.123).
The key controls necessary for load/discharge operators are: -
7.1 All goods must be loaded or discharged via a secure route and method.
7.2 Where weight is to be determined, the goods must pass through the weighing equipment in a secure route.
7.3 All sweepings and or spillage must be uplifted and accounted for either by weighing or by mutual agreement
between the contracting parties or their representatives. Where sweepings and or spillage has come into
contact with extraneous matter which may cause contamination, for example spilt oil, bird droppings or dirt of
any kind they must not be re-introduced into the original goods but must be disposed of in a safe manner in
agreement with the owner of the goods. [R]
7.4 If instructed to do so by the owner of the agricultural commodities, special attention should be given to the
handling of organic and genetically modified materials. [R]

7.5 Handling and storage should be performed by operators with clear management systems and rules as laid
down in the Gafta Trade Assurance Scheme, and take into consideration the legal requirements of the
competent authorities.
7.6 All handling equipment must be kept clean through application of a routine cleaning programme and free from
leakage at all times. Operators should be observant regarding checking for leaks. [R]
7.7 Premises and equipment must be accessible for the control of on-going operations.
7.8 Adequate loading and unloading equipment should be available for the different means of transport (trucks,
railcars, barges etc) accepted by the facility.
7.9 In case of bad weather conditions adequate measures must be taken in order to prevent damage to the goods.
K 7.10 When different loading and/or discharging operations are being carried out at the same time the conveyor/belt
systems must be secured to prevent co-mingling of goods. It is essential that equipment including belts and
conveyors are inspected to ensure there is no material remaining before changing to a different material. Belts
and conveyors should be run for a pre-determined period to remove any traces of previous materials.
7.11 Each operation must be recorded. [R]
8.0 Statutory Requirements
K 8.1 The storekeeper must at all times exercise due diligence in the care of the goods, and must be conversant with
and comply with the legislative requirements of the country in which they are operating. This includes (inter
alia) any local and national health and safety legislation.
K 8.2 Storekeepers must comply with a recognised Code of Practice for the Control of Salmonella. In the absence of
such Code of Practice, the Gafta Monitoring Code for the Control of Salmonella shall apply. [R]
8.3 Storekeepers must demonstrate the actions taken to store goods in accordance with applicable legislation and
K
customer requirements.
9.0 Food and Feed Premises Registration Regulations
9.1 Storekeepers operating within the European Union should note that before storing any goods which may be
destined for human and/or animal consumption, that they must apply to their local authority to register their
premises (Food Hygiene Regulation EC Reg 852/2004, Feed Hygiene EC Reg. 183/2005). The respective
registration number, or written confirmation of the registration, issued by the local authorities will be checked as
part of the certification audit. [R]
9.2 Storekeepers located outside the European Union are advised to check with their local authorities whether such
requirement exists. [R]
10.0 Registration of Storekeepers under EU TSE Regulations

Storekeepers operating within the European Union should note that registration with the official authorities is
required for the storage of dedicated bulk, animal-derived dicalcium phosphate and hydrolysed protein.
Storekeepers located outside the European Union are advised to check with their local authorities whether such
requirement exists. [R]
11.0 Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)

The importance of HACCP and the requirement for a HACCP plan for any storekeeper or grain handling facility
cannot be overstated. It is a statutory requirement for all food and feed businesses in the EU to put in place a
permanent written procedure(s) based on HACCP principles. Regulation EC 183/2005 laying down
requirements for feed hygiene states:
“(the) primary responsibility for feed safety rests with the feed business operator."
11.1 A formal risk assessment must be carried out, implemented and maintained with the aim of identifying and
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controlling any hazards that might adversely affect the integrity of stored materials. [R]
11.2 Risk assessments must be carried out in accordance with recognised HACCP principles. See appendix 2 [R]
K
12.0 The Store
K 12.1 The storage facility must be secure, soundly constructed of durable materials, fully enclosed, and proofed against
birds and rodents, sufficient to protect the goods from damage, water ingress, and contamination. The area
immediately surrounding the store site must be designed and maintained to limit contamination of stored goods.
12.2 Roofs must be sound and leak proof.

K
12.3 Floors and walls of the store must be impervious to liquids. All openings such as manholes, inlets, outlets,
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drainage points, etc., must be sealed effectively. The layout of the store and of any necessary plant therein
should be such as to avoid the creation of uncleanable recesses. No unnecessary plant should be kept in the store.
12.4 Floors or walls that are sealed or coated in bitumen or where a bituminous filler is used, must not come into
contact with stored materials.
K 12.5 Stores must be maintained in a clean, dry state, free from taint and abnormal odour.
12.6 There must be adequate and effective drainage.
K 12.7 There must be sufficient clean hard standing at the store entrances to prevent tracking of water and mud into
the store.
12.8 Each separate store should be clearly identified by name, initial, or number. Where the store is subdivided into
bays, each bay must also be separately and clearly identified. In the case of vertical silo bins each bin should be
individually numbered.
A plan of the store/silo, including identification of bays, bins, silos or tanks, must be kept up to date so that
goods can be easily identified. [R]
Signs must be fixed to the exterior of the store identifying the premises as a “Food Store”
12.9 The ventilation facilities must be adequate to prevent the build-up of hot air or condensation. External
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ventilation and aeration openings must be proofed against the entry of birds and vermin.
12.10 Switches, wiring, lighting, etc., must be sited well clear of all stored materials. All light bulbs and fluorescent
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tubes must be covered with non-glass fittings and/or approved protective coating, and any windows and/or
glass roof lights must be guarded to prevent the possibility of glass contaminating the stored goods.
12.11 Glass must be excluded from the store in all forms including vehicles and other equipment. (see HACCP Glass audit)
12.12 Where heating facilities are required for certain liquids, the means of heating must be appropriate for the goods
being stored. Heating equipment must not leak, be kept in good repair, be monitored and controlled. [R]
12.13 Weighbridge(s) and any other weighing equipment must be calibrated annually by a recognised (suitably
qualified) external company and any calibration certificates retained. Nb: If a public weighbridge is used
there must be evidence available that these have also been calibrated annually. [R]
12.14 Testing equipment used for stores monitoring purposes must be calibrated to manufacturer’s instructions at
least annually. [R] .
12.15 Store entrances, exits and gangways must allow access to stored goods in case of heating or fire.
13.0 Cleaning the Store
K 13.1 Stores must employ a routine cleaning programme covering all parts of the store and structures within it, in
particular roof trusses, ledges, all dust collecting surfaces and all handling and weighing equipment [R]
K 13.2 Outside of the routine cleaning programme, stores must ensure that floors are kept clean and dry at all times.
K 13.3 The entire store, including all structures, must be subjected to a regular thorough cleaning programme when
empty preferably on an annual basis. [R]
K 13.4 The storage and disposal of waste material produced during cleaning operations must be considered as part of
the store HACCP plan. [R]
K 13.5 Stores must be thoroughly cleaned before a changeover between different groups of commodities stored for
example between:
• Combinable crops
• Marine derived goods
• Minerals
• Moist feeds
• Vegetable commodities
K 13.6 Any store that has held goods contaminated with salmonella must be disinfected, swabbed and tested to
confirm clearance before further use. [R]
13.7 On cleaning, tanks must be fully drained of wash medium prior to refilling and the wash water must be
disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner. The tank must be emptied and cleaned before a
switchover between vegetable and marine commodities. [R]

13.8 Cleaning schedules must be developed and implemented to minimise the risk of salmonella and where
appropriate in accordance with the applicable Code of Practice for the Control of Salmonella.
K
13.9 Any equipment used to load, unload or otherwise handle or sample goods must be suitable for the purpose and
must be routinely maintained in a clean condition appropriate for the handling of crops. A daily inspection
sheet should be kept evidencing that visual checks have been made of any mechanised handling equipment to
ensure that there is no damage to glass or there are any leaks of fluid etc. [R]
K 13.10 Any equipment used to handle goods which could be a source of contamination, must be thoroughly cleaned
before being used to handle other goods. [R]
K 13.11 Equipment used for the handling of goods must not be used for the handling of any IDTF forbidden materials. [R]
13.12 In areas where goods are stored particular attention must be paid to checking for leaks from handling
equipment and vehicles.
13.13 Vehicles and equipment, which are not required in the handling of the goods or cleaning of the store, must be
excluded from the store and stored/parked in designated area(s). Any vehicles or motorised equipment
parked inside the store must have drip trays placed underneath to catch any oil leakages.
13.14 Non-phenolic food grade disinfectants and approved pesticides and fumigants are the only products which
may be used and must be applied by equipment capable of achieving the correct application. [R]
14.0 Contracting Out

K Only storage companies that are certified under GTAS or a scheme recognised by GTAS can store goods under
this Code of Practice. If a storage company is unable to fulfil an obligation to store goods for legitimate reasons
they can, after prior reference to and approval from the owner of the goods, contract out the obligation to
another storage company that is certified under GTAS or a scheme recognised by GTAS. This is often referred
to as sub-contracting. [R]
15.0 Insurance
Storekeepers must demonstrate that they have adequate and appropriate insurance in place to cover any claims
that may arise as a result of liability in respect of goods stored. Levels of cover will differ significantly
depending on the type of goods stored and the scale of risks involved. Insurance may be covered through
commercial or private (self assurance) channels and must cover public and product liabilities. The extent of
cover should be appropriate for the value and the nature of the goods being stored and should take account of
customer terms and conditions where appropriate. [R]
16.0 Storage Operations
16.1 Mammalian Meat and Bone Meal (MMBM) must not be stored on the same site as goods or additives which
K could enter the human/farmed animal feed chain, unless physically separated. Adequate physical separation
will be determined by risk assessment on a case-by-case basis.
16.2 No IDTF forbidden or unlisted goods or materials can be stored in the same store as goods under this code.
K
16.3 Fishmeal intended for non-ruminant livestock feed within the EU is only allowed to be stored in bulk in
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dedicated, registered stores and, where possible, dedicated equipment should be used to handle fishmeal.
16.4 If any handling equipment or vehicle is used for fishmeal and is subsequently used for other products, it must
K be thoroughly cleaned, sanitised and inspected before and after the handling/transport of the fishmeal. This
should be considered in the store HACCP plan. [R]
K 16.5 Bagged or bulk minerals must not be stored in the same store as other goods covered by this Code.
K 16.6 If flammable materials are stored on the same site as goods covered by this code of practice these must be
kept physically separated by a barrier and/or at a safe distance away from the goods.
16.7 Moist Co-Products

Buildings that have stored moist co-products must be cleaned and disinfected with a food grade disinfectant
before storing dry products. [R]
16.8 Infested Products

K
Buildings which have stored infested products must be thoroughly steam cleaned. Proof will be required to be
given that appropriate cleaning operations have been undertaken and they must be recorded. The use of smoke
bombs is not likely to be effective and is not recommended. [R]
K 16.9 Fishmeal
Where applicable, in accordance with EU Animal By-Products Regulations, only fishmeal which has been
produced in plants authorised by the competent authority is permitted to be stored under this Code.

If a building is used for the storage of fishmeal and is subsequently used for the storage of other products, it
must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. [R]
16.10 Allergens
Certain materials or goods are classified as allergens as they can cause severe allergic reaction in humans. In
some cases this can be fatal. EU Directive 2007/68/EC identifies 14 groups of allergens known to induce allergic
reaction. These include:
• Crustacean and products thereof
• Eggs and products thereof
• Fish and products thereof
• Peanuts and products thereof
• Milk and products thereof
• Nuts: Almond/Hazelnut/Walnut/Cashew/Pecan/Brazil/Macadamia and products thereof
• Celery and products thereof
• Mustard and products thereof
• Sesame seeds and products thereof
• Sulphur dioxide and sulphites at concentrations of more than 10mg/kg or 10 mg/litre expressed as SO2
• Lupin seeds and products thereof
• Molluscs and products thereof.
For the full list please see EU Directive 2007/68/EC
Where materials known to cause allergic reaction (excluding cereals) are stored (or intended to be stored) in the
same store as goods which may be destined for human consumption, the owner of the goods must be informed
in writing and approval obtained. Dealing with allergens should be considered in the store HACCP plan. [R]
16.11 Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances (NOPS)

These are substances which can be found naturally in some raw materials and may cause problems if fed to
horses involved in competition/racing etc. NOPs may be found in bakery and biscuit products, confectionary,
poppies and sprouting barley.
Those involved in the production, storage or handling of equine feedingstuffs should inform their
customers/suppliers if any of these products are being handled. [R]
17.0 Liquid Feed
17.1 Storage tanks for liquid feed must be inspected and cleaned on a prescribed basis, depending on the nature of
the liquid being stored and whether a tank is dedicated to storage of a particular type of material. The
frequency of complete emptying and cleaning will depend on the physical and microbiological storage stability
of the material. [R]
17.2 Where common plant and equipment (pipelines, pumps etc.) are used for handling different liquid feed goods,
an efficient line cleaning system must be used.
17.3 Exposed ends of flexible hoses should be kept capped when not in use.
17.4 For liquid storage thermometers, sampling equipment and tank content gauges must be appropriate and the
equipment be maintained. [R]
17.5 Liquid filters and strainers must be inspected at regular intervals and cleaned in accordance with a formal
cleaning programme. [R]
18.0 Requirements for Feed Material Packing Operations in Assured Stores
18.1 Packaged Feed Ingredients

A stock rotation system must be in place, in agreement with the owner of the goods. [R]
A system must exist to identify out of date stock and to segregate it so that it cannot be inadvertently put into
circulation. [R]
Fork lift operators must be instructed regarding the importance of avoiding breakages.
Store staff must be instructed on how to deal with breakages in a safe and hygienic manner.
Storage areas must be checked when empty and cleaned if necessary. [R]
18.2 Equipment
Each item of feed related fixed equipment and (if applicable) associated bulk storage must be shown on a flow
diagram which is updated when any changes take place. [R]

All equipment must be constructed and operated so that feed ingredients are protected from contamination.
There must be a maintenance plan and record for any equipment relating to feedingstuffs. [R]
Weighing, measuring and monitoring equipment must be calibrated to recognised national standards at
intervals not exceeding 12 months. Regular and recorded cleaning and calibration must take place according to
a written schedule. [R]
All equipment which is used to handle feed ingredients must be kept clean. Records of cleaning and
disinfecting must be maintained. [R]
Equipment used for the handling of feed ingredients must never be used for the handling of forbidden materials
such as mammalian meat and bone meal, toxic or hazardous materials.
18.3 Waste
Waste packaging material must be collected into suitable and clearly identified receptacles for removal to
identified collection points away from the production areas.
18.4 Packaging Operations

When feed materials are being packaged, care must be taken to avoid contamination during the packaging
process.
Packaging must be appropriate to the product type and to maintain contents for their intended shelf life.
Weighing machines and other equipment must be cleaned when changing between feed ingredients. [R]
Where paper or plastic sacks are used these must not have had any previous use.
18.5 Big Bags and Containers

If “big bags” (0.5 tonne or 1 tonne) are used it is permissible to use clean containers which have been previously
used for human food ingredients providing that these are inspected and seen to be free from residue and that
the food ingredient is one which would be suitable for use for the species and applications for which the feed
ingredient is intended.
Big bags which have been previously used for deliveries to farm cannot be re-used.
Single trip bags must not be re-used.
Big bags that have been used for feed ingredients other than fish meals or animal proteins but have not been
used on farms can be re-used after inspection.
Big bags which have been used to carry forbidden materials, medicated feedingstuffs, or those containing
specified feed additives, cannot be re-used.
Rigid bulk containers which can be satisfactorily cleaned must be inspected and if necessary cleaned before filling.
Before receiving any deliveries by container, storekeepers must have received and act in compliance with the
requirements of the relevant trader/merchant or customer Risk Assessment. The Risk Assessment should
include reference to:
• inspection of the container's construction, cleanliness and previous use
• pressure cleaning and disinfection
• the use of liners for protection of the goods
• other specific requirements.
Records of inspection, cleaning operations, disinfection etc., as required by the Risk Assessment must be
maintained. [R]
18.6 Pallets
Pallets must be serviceable, clean and dry.
All pallets which are returned must be inspected and if necessary cleaned before re-use.
18.7 Labelling
K Care must be taken to use the correct labels on all packages and label details must conform to current legislation.
Information given on packages, labels and leaflets and by other means must be correct and not misleading.
Redundant labels must be disposed of safely so that mis-labelling or confusion between batches is avoided.
Each package must be labelled in such a way that the batch or run of the packaging operation to which it
belongs can subsequently be identified. [R]
Records must be kept which link the package label to an identified batch or batches of feed material in order to
retain traceability and to aid in defining the scope of any recall. [R]

18.8 Packaging Records

The following information must be recorded for each batch of feed ingredient packaged, as an aid to traceability:
• Ingredient or product name
• Origin/manufacturer/supplier
• Quantity packaged
• Date of packaging
• Batch record/number (as shown on the package label)
18.9 Storage of bagged feed materials or containers of liquid feed materials

Stores that only handle bagged feed materials or liquid feed materials in sealed containers may store other
types of material not covered by this code provided that:
• There are designated storage areas for feed and non-feed materials with suitable physical separation
between the materials.
• Special care is taken to ensure liquid products in store cannot contaminate dry feed materials. Unless
suitable controls are in place, liquids must not be stored above dry feed materials.
• Any forbidden materials such as those containing mammalian meat and bone meal (including pet food),
toxic, or hazardous materials are not stored above or in close proximity to feed materials.
• Controls are in place for any split bags paying particular attention to contamination risks and weights and
measures legislation.
Stores that handle bulk and bagged feed materials cannot store any non-feed materials unless covered by a
biomass risk assessment.
All liquids must be within a suitably bunded or protected area (or have equivalent protection against cross
contamination).
The HACCP risk assessment must consider the hazards arising from materials held in store. The study must
include cross contamination risks between bulk and bagged materials and must include if necessary hazards
from materials derived from genetically modified DNA contaminating non-GM materials or conventional
commodities contaminating organic materials. Any risks identified must be adequately managed by separation
of bulk and bagged products. Issues associated with spillages and breakages of bags or pallets must also be
satisfactorily controlled.
19.0 Pest and Vermin Control
19.1 Measures must be taken to exclude rodents from the vicinity of the site. [R]
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19.2 The control measures must be designed to ensure that poison baits cannot contaminate the goods. Where
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practical, baits should be outside the actual storage area. If shooting of vermin is part of the control
programme, non-toxic ammunition must be used.
19.3 A plan of the location of bait stations (numbered for cross referencing on the plan) must be kept and any bait
stations must be securely attached to a fixed point to prevent movement or loss. [R]
19.4 Stores should have a person on site that holds a recognised Pest Control qualification, and records of training
and certifications relating to those persons must be kept. Alternatively stores must have a vermin/pest control
contract with a suitably qualified external company which is a member of a recognised Association. In either
case this should cover the safe use of rodenticides. [R]
19.5 Records must be kept of any corrective actions, the amount and type of bait used, and frequency of checks. [R]
19.6 Waste and scrap materials, old pallets, vegetation or other materials which can encourage and harbour rodents,
must be removed from the proximity of the stores. [R]
19.7 Precautions must be taken to discourage birds from the vicinity and to prevent their entry into stores. Wire
K masks must be put over ventilators and windows. (See Appendix 7) [R]
K 19.8 Animals of any description must be excluded from stores.
20.0 Store Management for all Goods
20.1 Regular temperature checks of not less than once per week must be made and recorded for each stack, bulk or
silo of dry goods. Temperature checks should be made across the whole bulk and to a range of depths, where
possible, to give an accurate record of the consignment and to identify any hot spot areas. Where there are
sudden changes in temperature from week to week, or where measured temperatures within the bulk exceed 20
degrees celcius in excess of ambient temperature or in the case of animal feed materials exceeds an agreed level,
the cause must be investigated and the owner of the goods must be notified as soon as possible. Once stored
goods are below 15oc, the frequency of temperature checks may be extended to not less than once per two
weeks or as agreed with the principal for whom the goods are being stored. [R]

20.2 For each stack of dry goods evidence must be recorded of any action taken. [R]
20.3 Copies of temperature records must be made available to the owners of dry goods if requested. [R]
20.4 Any aeration fans should be run regularly when conditions are suitable in order to prevent the heating of
combinable crops in store, and/or the build up of anaerobic conditions. Where no aeration facilities are available
the storekeeper shall notify the customer/owner of the goods accordingly. [R]
20.5 Aeration fan running times must be recorded. Interference to fan running as a result of adverse weather conditions
or mechanical faults should be recorded and made available to customer/owner of the goods if requested. [R]
20.6 The operator responsible for taking temperature readings of goods in store must complete the record of the
readings. [R]
20.7 Where temperature monitoring of goods in store is not possible due to the structure of the store or for health
and safety reasons, the store shall provide a risk assessment for the safe storage of the goods plus an ongoing
assessment establishing continued safe storage. This should be considered as part of the store HACCP plan. [R]
20.8 Storekeepers are required to show documentary evidence that the owner(s) of the goods in question accept
storage without normal temperature monitoring but with ongoing safe storage risk assessment if applicable. [R]
20.9 Where a risk of rising temperature or deteriorating condition is identified, including unusual odours and visual
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signs such as mould, steam, insect migration, (or foaming, lumps, or crusts in liquids) these must be
investigated and reported to the owner(s) of the goods plus any corrective action taken agreed with the
owners of the goods. [R]
20.10 Insect infestation must be reported to the owner of the goods immediately on discovery. Any disinfestation
K procedures to be used must be advised to and approved by the owner of the goods each time before they are
carried out. In the event of failure by the owners to respond within 48 hours, the storekeeper must take
appropriate action. [R]
20.11 Water entry through leakage must not be allowed, as it can cause damage – for example heating, and
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microbial activity. If, in spite of all precautions, stored goods do become wet, they must be segregated at the
earliest opportunity.
20.12 Smoking or naked lights must not be permitted within storage areas or near to goods.
20.13 Welding or other “hot work”, such as burning, riveting or any other potentially combustible activity, must not be
allowed in the store, unless full precautions are taken to avoid the risk of fire or explosion.
20.14 The use of explosive bird scaring devices must not be allowed within stores.
20.15 Handling methods must be such as to minimise the production of dust. This precaution is necessary to
minimise the risk of fire or dust explosion, to prevent contamination and to control the spread of Salmonella.
20.16 There must be no deliberate admixture or contamination of the goods and so far as is possible the accidental
K admixture or cross-contamination of the goods must be prevented. [R]
20.17 Individual shipments of goods must be stored separately. However, storekeepers must keep formal records
when the owner of the goods instructs them to store goods from one consignment with goods from other
consignments.[R]
20.18 Doors must be kept shut at all times unless loading, ventilation or other operations are taking place.
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20.19 If assured and non-assured goods are mixed for storage, the whole bulk must be regarded as being non-
K assured. [R]
K 20.20 If GM and non-GM goods are mixed for storage, the whole bulk must be regarded as being genetically
modified. [R]
21.0 Drying, Cleaning, Conditioning and Blending of Goods
21.1 Where drying, cleaning, conditioning or blending is undertaken, HACCP procedures must ensure that any
adverse effect on the goods being dried, cleaned, conditioned or blended is minimised.
21.2 Any drying operations on goods in store must be recorded, including details of where any dried goods are
placed in store prior to out loading to final destination. [R]
21.3 All practical steps must be taken to exclude/remove all traces of gases and exhausts from combustion, from the
storage area(s) to minimise any deleterious effects of exposure to dioxins and PCB's on the goods. Combustion
gases include all fumes and exhausts whether from lorries, handling and moving equipment, drying equipment etc.

21.4 Drying equipment must be regularly (annually) serviced and maintained by a demonstrably competent person
K
in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. For the purposes of this clause “regular” shall mean as
necessary to ensure that the equipment operates at optimum efficiency and that contamination build up of
residues within the equipment is avoided. [R]
21.5 Fuel used in oil-fired driers must meet accepted industry fuel standards and should be sourced from reputable
K suppliers. Waste oil must not be used under any circumstances. Full records must be kept of all fuel oil
deliveries including their origin and specification. [R]
21.6 Screenings or cleanings which are to be identified or sold as ‘Assured‘ must be produced only from goods
which are compliant with an assurance scheme. Records must be kept of the operations producing the
screenings or cleanings in order to demonstrate traceability of the goods. [R]
K 21.7 HACCP must be applied to the production and composition of screenings or cleanings which are to enter the
feed or food chain to identify any potential hazards. Screenings or cleanings that contain hazardous levels of
materials must not enter the feed/food chain either by blending or directly and must be disposed via an
approved disposal route. Records of such disposals must be kept. [R]
21.8 Seed plants, marketing seed processing by-products/screenings must ensure that the HACCP Risk Assessment
K
considers controls to ensure that materials treated with Seed Dressings are not allowed to enter the food/feed
chain. [R]
21.9 A sample must be taken of each load of screenings or cleanings at the time of loading when the screenings are
to be supplied for feed/food use. Samples must be retained for a minimum of three months. [R]
22.0 Simple Processing
Store keepers may apply simple processing operations to goods in store. In this context simple processing is
defined as a physical change to the form of the goods, for example flaking, rolling, cutting or
grinding/micronising without the adding of any other material including water. The application of heat or steam
is not permitted as simple processing.
This can be for use on site or for sale/delivery to a third party.
Processing operations must only be carried out by trained operators. Training records must be kept to confirm
the competency of the operators. [R]
Processing operations must be considered in the store HACCP plan. This should include a regular cleaning plan
for any processing equipment. [R]
Records must be kept of all processing operations and movements of processed goods within the store.
23.0 Monitoring of Undesirable Substances
23.1 Salmonella
K Requirements for sampling and testing of goods for the presence of salmonella may vary from country to
country and operators must comply with any national requirements. Operators in the EU must comply with the
requirements of the EU Zoonoses Regulation (EC) No. 2160/2003. For goods stored in the UK the DEFRA Code
of Practice for the Control of Salmonella during the Production, Storage and Transport of Compound Feeds,
Premixtures, Feed Materials and Feed Additives applies. Where no national code of practice exists Appendix 4
of this manual applies.
23.2 Other undesirable substances

In EU legislation undesirable substances are any substance or product, with the exception of pathogenic agents,
which are present in product intended for animal feed which presents a potential danger to animal or human
health or to the environment or could adversely affect livestock production. Reg 2002/32 EC applies.
A principal in a storage or handling contract may require that storekeepers undertake sampling and to submit
for analysis samples for the testing for undesirable substances. [R]
A number of Feed Safety Assurance Schemes operating in the trade incorporate requirements for testing of
contaminants. Where such testing is required a monitoring plan should be drawn up between the parties
involved in the storage contract. Sampling and analysis is generally influenced by risk assessment and product
data sheets are required. Risk assessment of commodities for storage and handling are likely to be affected by
material and origin specific risks. The monitoring plan should include:
a) The procedure for and the frequency of the sampling (see also Gafta No. 124 Sampling Rules)
b) The Analysts which are chosen for the analyses in question.
c) The frequency of analyses, checks and inspections.
d) The instructions for carrying out inspections and checks.
e) The personnel who are responsible for carrying out the monitoring activities.
f) The personnel responsible for releasing the goods.

23.3 Mycotoxins
Where testing for the presence of mycotoxins is required a monitoring programme must be agreed between
the parties. [R]
Results of analyses obtained from the monitoring programme must be made available to the storekeeper and to
the owner of the goods.
24.0 Use of Pesticides and Fumigants
24.1 Where it is necessary to use pesticides or fumigants on stored goods, only chemicals approved for food or feed
K
contact can be used and applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Storekeepers must notify and
check that products proposed to be used are also approved by the owner of the goods.
K 24.2 Pesticide use must be recorded, and must be declared on documents accompanying the goods, e.g. the Post
Harvest Declaration Form. [R]
24.3 Pesticides stored on site must take account of best practice guidance on storing pesticides in the country in
K which this Code is being applied.
See also the GTAS Fumigation and Pest Control manual.
25.0 Customer Requirements

Within the trade there are a number of safety schemes for food and feed in operation. Requirements of
food/feed safety schemes may vary in relation to specific conditions under which storage must take place.
Storekeepers and handling facilities must ensure that they understand and comply with any specific requirements
of the relevant food/feed safety scheme in which the goods are being stored. It is the responsibility of the
principal in a contract for storage (the customer) to give precise instructions regarding any specific
requirements that exist if these are not already covered by this Code of Practice. This may include introducing a
sampling and analysis plan for the analysis of goods for the presence of undesirable substances (see 17.0). [R]
26.0 Acceptance of a Storage Order

Storekeepers must have a documented procedure for accepting a storage order. The procedure must include
details of the type of goods to be stored (data sheets etc), the IDTF number and any cleaning requirements.
The order should also take into account any special requirements of the customer with regard to food and/or
feed safety schemes into which the goods will be delivered or special buying terms that are relevant to the
storage of the goods. [R]
27.0 Incoming goods
27.1 All delivery vehicles must be visually inspected on arrival for general cleanliness. Vehicles must be sheeted on
arrival. Trailer identification numbers must be recorded. [R]
27.2 The previous three loads carried by the delivery vehicle must be checked against the IDTF database. Note:
K generic terms (including trade names) are not suitable for recording previous loads carried, the proper
description of the goods should be used. Where a delivery vehicle has carried a material that is forbidden (or
unlisted) under the IDTF, the load must be rejected and the owner of the goods notified by the storekeeper.
Where the carriage of certain materials requires a specific cleaning regime, the storekeeper must check the
cleaning records. Where cleaning records are not available for checking, the load must not be tipped until
written clarification has been received by the storekeeper or owner of the goods and a risk assessment has
been made. [R]
27.3 All deliveries must be accompanied by correctly completed and appropriate delivery documentation. Where
such documentation lists treatment of the goods with pesticides these must be checked against the relevant
approved list of pesticides (if applicable). The correct information regarding previous application of pesticides
can only be provided by the supplier of the goods. Where applicable this may include details of mycotoxin
scoring and RED status. Note: in the UK the appropriate document is known as the "Combinable Crops
Passport" (Grain Passport). For deliveries of imported goods a delivery document is still required. Unless the
imported goods can be demonstrated to have come from assured sources then the document should be
marked “non-assured” goods. [R]
27.4 For ease of administration during harvesting periods where a volume of goods is moving in multiple phases
from field direct to store by identified tractor/trailer it is acceptable for a single document (passport) to cover
the total amount delivered per trailer per farm per day. Where this applies, each document should list the
individual weighbridge ticket numbers and gross/tare weights for each delivery. If a break in deliveries occurs or
the trailer is changed then a new document (passport) is required. [R]
27.5 The use of stickers on collection and delivery documents to denote the status of the goods is common practice
as a time saving device. This method can be used to identify assured goods or RED certified goods (see RED
manual).

27.6 Only combinable crops grown under a recognised grower assurance scheme and clearly identified as such on
K the delivery documentation (often by the affixing of an assurance sticker), may be considered as being assured
and stored and re-delivered accordingly.
27.7 For logistical reasons during harvesting periods some grower assurance schemes allow use of temporary
storage facilities, normally for a maximum period of time. Goods being delivered from a temporary store must
be identified on the delivery note usually by affixing a sticker denoting that the goods are Production Only
status. Goods should not be accepted if they are outside the agreed time period. Note: UK Red Tractor Assured
Crops have until 31st October to deliver goods under PO stickers. [R]
27.8 Where delivery vehicles are to be analysed they must be sampled and tested in accordance with agreed,
written procedures and in accordance with instructions received from the owners of the goods. Goods
sampled for salmonella testing must be sampled in accordance with the applicable Code of Practice for the
Control of Salmonella (see Appendix 4). [R]
27.9 The storekeeper must clearly advise the driver of the delivery vehicle where to proceed to offload. Larger
storage facilities with multiple sheds and/or silo bins should provide drivers with written confirmation of
where to offload or other physical means of identification (eg tokens).
28.0 Outgoing goods
28.1 Vehicles arriving to collect goods must be sheeted on arrival and inspected before loading and a record kept
K confirming that they are in a clean and dry state, including the load carrying area and, where appropriate,
blowing equipment. It should be checked that the trailer is correctly displaying identification marks on both
sides and rear.
28.2 Where IDTF goods and materials have been carried and the trailer has not been cleaned in accordance with the
K IDTF requirements, the storekeeper must not load the vehicle until written clarification has been received by the
storekeeper or owner of the goods and a risk assessment has been made. [R]
28.3 The previous three loads must be recorded and assessed for compatibility by a competent person. Generic
terms like “biomass” should not be accepted. The description of goods should be as precise and detailed as
necessary to accurately describe the goods. [R]
28.4 Should the lorry be deemed unfit for carrying the goods that cannot be remedied by simple brushing or
sweeping, the storekeeper should immediately contact the holder of the delivery order. [R]
28.5 Exposed ends of blower/tanker hoses must be capped when not in use. [R]
28.6 Loaded vehicles must not be allowed to leave the site until covered with sound, clean and dry sheets. On
vehicles carrying liquids, tank lids must be securely closed prior to leaving the site.
28.7 All deliveries and collections of goods must be accompanied by an appropriate collection or delivery note (UK -
grain passport). Where a pesticide has been applied to the goods in store this must be declared on the
collection note. Stickers applied to collection notes to identify goods that are “assured” may only be applied to
combinable crops that can be demonstrated to have been grown under a recognised grower assurance scheme.
28.8 Storekeepers must have a written procedure for taking and retaining samples of loads delivered into and loaded
out of store. Ideally representative samples should be retained of all loads received and loaded out of store by
road. Goods delivered to store direct from ship or being loaded direct to ship do not require samples to be
retained as the goods will be independently sampled and tested by the cargo superintendent.
If due to large volumes of goods being handled it is practically impossible to retain samples from every load
out of store by road it may be satisfactory to aggregate samples by bin or other identifiable store separation.
The minimum requirement in such circumstances should be an aggregate bulk sample per commodity per bay
per day. [R]
28.9 The storekeeper must issue clear instructions to the loader which store/silo/bay the goods to be loaded are to
come from. Larger storage facilities with multiple sheds and/or silo bins should provide drivers with written
confirmation of where to load or other physical means of identification (eg tokens).
28.10 Representative samples of load(s) entering and leaving premises by road must be retained for a minimum
period of 3 months. Samples of loads taken at the point of intake/delivery must be bulked in accordance with
the requirements for Salmonella testing as set out in the appropriate Code of Practice for the Control of
Salmonella. [R]
28.11 A recordable system for the traceability of all loads delivered and collected must be in place within the store.
K
This must take into account the assurance status of the goods. [R]

29.0 Personnel
29.1 Personnel must be made aware of the importance of this document, all relevant regulations and the relevant
Code of Practice for the Control of Salmonella.
29.2 Proper toilet and washing facilities must be near to their workplaces, and must be kept clean.
29.3 Eating and drinking should only be permitted in designated areas.
29.4 Storage facilities should be designated as "No Smoking" areas. Operators may designate a smoking area that is
within the storage site but outside the area where goods are actually stored.
29.5 No person known to be suffering from a communicable enteric disease should be employed in the handling of
goods. “Return to Work” forms should be completed for any staff returning to work after being absent through
illness or travel abroad under the communicable enteric disease section.
29.6 Operators and contractors using pesticides applied in any manner must be aware of the appropriate national
K regulations for the Control of Pesticides Regulations and if required have the necessary Certificate of
Competence. [R]
29.7 Operators’ non-disposable clothing must be contract cleaned or laundered regularly for the control of
Salmonella. For the purposes of this clause “regularly” is not precisely defined since cleaning should take into
account the conditions of usage of the non-disposable clothing. More frequent cleaning will be required for
clothing exposed to very dirty conditions. [R]
29.8 Personnel must be trained in the relevant standards of safety and hygiene. [R]
29.9 Visitors and contractors must be informed of the hygiene requirements of the site and sign an appropriate
form. [R]
29.10 All non-essential personnel to store operations or store maintenance, or not directly involved in collection or
delivery of goods or materials, should be excluded from the store.
30.0 Training
The successful operation of this Code of Practice cannot be achieved without training of personnel. This
covers all permanent and temporary staff involved at the site. Storage operators should identify the training
needs and ensure that the appropriate training is provided. Such training should include as a minimum:
• a full understanding of the purpose and detailed requirements of this Code of Practice
• any in-house procedures for the implementation of this Code of Practice
• basic awareness of food safety and hygiene disciplines
• personal hygiene
• Code of Practice for the Control of Salmonella
30.1 Training must take place regularly (normally on an annual basis), be kept up-to-date and documented. Training
K
records should be signed by the trainer and trainee together with the date of the training. [R]
K 30.2 Training may be carried out on an in-house basis.
30.3 Training must be included in the store HACCP plan.

K
31.0 Security
31.1 The storekeeper must be able to demonstrate the safety and security of the goods in his care.
K
31.2 The storekeeper must ensure that the appropriate release is given and collection documents provided before
the goods are released. [R]
32.0 Procedures and Instructions
32.1 A designated person must have authority and responsibility for the implementation of the requirements of this
Code of Practice.
32.2 The designated person must ensure that all staff covered by the scope of the Code of Practice are provided
with written instructions that confirm their duties and the procedures. [R]
32.3 The designated person shall keep an organisational chart listing all staff employed, their positions and their
functions within the store operation.
33.0 Self-Assessment Procedures
33.1 Storekeepers must have a documented procedure for self-assessment. [R]

33.2 The procedure must require the storekeeper to carry out a programme of planned self-assessments to check
that internal systems are operating as intended and are also effective. Such self-assessments must encompass:
• Compliance with the requirements of this Code of Practice
• Compliance with the requirements of the storekeeper’s HACCP system
• Compliance with the storekeeper’s formal procedures
• Compliance with applicable legislation pertaining to Feed and Food safety and quality
• Satisfaction of specified customer requirements
• Recording of non-conformances and steps taken to prevent re-occurrence.
• A documented procedure for controls, associated responsibilities and competences for dealing with
non-conformances.
• A written procedure to notify the scheme auditors before introducing a new store into the scheme to enable
suitable auditing and acceptance before being used for storage.
33.3 The programme of self-assessments must ensure that all relevant activities are audited at least once a year.
33.4 All personnel carrying out self-assessments must be experienced, and be able to demonstrate their
effectiveness in the role.
33.5 Self assessments must be formally reported to those with responsibility for the area audited and record any
aspects where the operations are not in compliance with operational requirements. Such areas of non-
compliance must be corrected within an agreed timescale and the report records updated by an authorised
person to indicate that problems have been corrected satisfactorily.
Once the self assessment has been completed the HACCP plan should be reviewed and any non-conformances
raised during the self assessment addressed (if required) by producing an updated or revised HACCP plan. [R]
34.0 Material Recall and Crisis Management
K 34.1 In the event of a problem occurring which may threaten the safety and security of the goods delivered from
store, and/or the safety of the feed chain and/or may present a threat to human health, storekeepers must have
adequate records to enable them to identify all goods potentially at risk and provide the owner with sufficient
information to notify all those customers who may consequently be affected. [R]
34.2 The responsibilities and mechanisms for issuing warnings or recalls of goods must be clearly defined and the
required traceability tested at least annually for adequacy. Records of such tests must be kept and any
corrective actions that arise must be implemented and recorded. [R]
34.3 Goods that have been rejected, recalled or returned should be placed in separate and adequately segregated
K storage to prevent cross contamination of other goods in store. [R]
34.4 Traceability must be tested at least once a year and any corrective actions raised must be implemented and
recorded. This should be a part of the self assessment protocol. [R]
Once the self assessment has been completed the HACCP plan should be reviewed and any non-conformances
raised during the traceability test addressed (if required) by producing an updated or revised HACCP plan. [R]
35.0 Complaints Procedure

The storekeeper must document the procedure for handling complaints. [R] This procedure must include
systems for:
• The prompt documentation and investigation of complaints
• The prompt feedback to the Company with findings
• Deciding on the internal actions required to prevent re-occurrence.
36.0 Arbitration
In the event of a problem, and in the absence of an arbitration agreement, recourse for settlement of claims will
be to the appropriate Court. Alternatively, the parties in dispute may agree to arbitration in accordance with
the Gafta Simple Dispute Rules Form 126 (available as a separate document).

APPENDIX 1
General Definitions
For the purposes of this Code the following definitions shall apply:
• animal feed materials: shall mean raw materials and straight feeds, feed additives, etc., (as defined under the applicable
Feedingstuffs Regulations) intended as an animal feed material.
• Biodiesel: a transport fuel usually made from vegetable oils used as a diesel replacer.
• Bio ethanol: a transport fuel made from sugar and cereal crops used as a petrol replacer.
• Biofuels: liquid or gaseous fuel for transport produced from biomass.
• Bioliquids: liquid fuel for energy purposes other than for transport, including electricity and heating and cooling, produced
from biomass.
• Biomass: the biodegradable fraction of products, waste and residues from biological origin from agriculture (including
vegetal and animal substances), forestry and related industries including fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the
biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste.
• Broker: - shall mean a person or company acting as an intermediary between buyer and seller and drawing an agreed
commission for services rendered. A Broker does not act as a principal in the transaction.
• COSHH: - shall mean Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.
• carrier: – shall mean the shipping company, haulage company or operator of any vessel under this code.
• Codex Alimentarius: – Latin, meaning Food Law or Code, is a collection of Internationally adopted Food and/or
Feed Standards presented in a uniform manner.
• combinable crops: shall mean grain, pulses (peas and beans) and oilseeds (rapeseed and linseed, as-grown
cereal seeds and herbage seeds (grass, clover, etc.), pulse seeds and oilseeds for seed processing.
• the Code of Practice for the Control of Salmonella: - shall mean the Code of Practice for the Control of Salmonella
during the storage, handling and transport of raw materials intended for incorporation into, or direct use as, animal
feedingstuffs, current in the country where the code is being applied. In the absence of any such national code, the
Gafta Code of Practice for Salmonella shall apply.
• the Company: - shall mean any company who is a principal in a transaction or for whom a service is being provided.
• contamination: – shall mean the undesired introduction of impurities of a chemical or microbiological nature or of
foreign matter during production, sampling, packaging, storage or transport.
• Control (verb): To take all necessary actions to ensure and maintain compliance with criteria established in the HACCP plan.
• Control (noun): The state wherein correct procedures are being followed and criteria are being met.
• Control measure: Any action and activity that can be used to prevent or eliminate a food safety hazard or reduce it to
an acceptable level.
• Corrective action: Any action to be taken when the results of monitoring at the CCP indicate a loss of control.
• Critical Control Point (CCP): A step at which control should be applied and is essential to prevent or eliminate a food
safety hazard or reduce it to an acceptable level.
• Critical limit: A criterion which separates acceptability from unacceptability.
• derogated protein:- shall mean fishmeal, dicalcium phosphate or tricalcium phosphate of animal origin or hydrolysed
protein (as defined in the EU Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies [TSE] Regulations) which are prohibited in farmed
animal feeds intended for ruminants but permitted in such feeds intended for non-ruminants;
• Desk Trader: - shall mean any trader, whether or not employing staff, but with no owned storage, laboratory or transport
facilities.
• Deviation: Failure to meet a critical limit.
• farmed animals: - shall mean cattle, sheep, goats, deer, pigs, poultry, rabbits, horses, fish or any other animals which
may be used for human consumption;
• farmed ruminants: - shall mean cattle, sheep, goats or deer.
• feed” or “animal feed: – shall mean any substance or product, including additives, whether processed, partly
processed or unprocessed, intended to be used for oral feeding to animals.
• food: – shall mean any substance or product, whether processed, partially processed, intended to be, or reasonably
expected to be ingested by humans.
• forbidden materials: – shall mean materials classified in the International Database for Transport of Feed (IDTF) as being
forbidden or materials that are not classified in the IDTF.
• fumigants: – shall mean gases which are toxic to target infestations.
• Fumigator: – shall mean a contractor whose business it is to apply fumigants to eradicate infestations.
• Gafta Approved Analyst: – shall mean a laboratory engaged in the profession of sample analysis providing certificates of
quality at loadports. They carry out analysis in accordance with the Methods of Analysis Form No. 130, the Gafta Rules and
Code of Conduct for Approved Registered Analysts for commodities traded on Gafta contracts. They are members of GAFTA.

• Gafta Approved Superintendent: – shall mean a company engaged in the profession of inspection. They carry out
their duties in accordance with the respective contract terms, sampling rules and Code of Practice, inspection,
verifications, examinations, quality and condition assessment, sampling measurements. They are members of GAFTA.
• goods: - shall mean all animal feed materials, combinable crops, finished products and processed materials for food and/or
feed purposes.
• Grower: - shall mean the farmer producer of the raw materials.
• HACCP: A system which identifies, evaluates, and controls hazards which are significant for food and feed safety.
• HACCP plan: A document prepared in accordance with the principles of HACCP to ensure control of hazards which are
significant for food and feed safety in the segment of the supply chain under consideration.
• Haulier: – shall mean the operator of any vehicle engaged in the transport of goods by road.
• Hazard: A biological, chemical or physical agent in, or condition of, food or feed with the potential to cause an adverse health
effect to humans or animals.
• Hazard analysis: The process of collecting and evaluating information on hazards and conditions leading to their
presence to decide which are significant for food and feed safety and therefore should be addressed in the HACCP plan.
• ICRT: - shall mean the International Committee (for) Road Transport
• IDTF: - shall mean the International Database (for the) Transport of Feed
• load compartment: – shall mean the sub-divided part of the load carrying area of a bulk vehicle or vessel into which
goods are loaded and transported.
• loading inspector: – shall mean a person in a quality system who on the basis of training and experience has sufficient
knowledge and expertise to inspect cargo spaces for suitability for loading the goods. The appointed person shall have
certification or accreditation to perform this role.
• Merchant: - shall mean a trading business, employing staff operating with a combination of storage and/or laboratory
and/or transport facilities.
• Monitor: The act of conducting a planned sequence of observations or measurements of control parameters to assess
whether a CCP is under control.
• Principal: – shall mean the buyer or seller in a transaction.
• processed animal protein: – shall mean meat and bone meal*, meat meal*, bone meal*, blood meal*, dried plasma* and
other blood products*, hydrolysed protein, hoof meal, horn meal, poultry offal meal, feather meal, dry greaves, fishmeal,
dicalcium phosphate and tricalcium phosphate of animal origin, gelatin and any other similar products including mixtures,
feedingstuffs, feed additives and premixtures, containing these products.*whether of mammalian or non-mammalian origin;
• Producer: - shall mean a farmer, grower, processor or manufacturer of food or feed.
• [R]: - the symbol [R] in the text indicates the requirement to keep a record.
• recall: the process by which the removal of an unsafe or illegal goods/product in the possession of the consumer is made.
• risk: – shall mean a function of the probability of damage to goods or an adverse health effect and the severity of that
damage or effect, consequential to a hazard.
• road haulage: – shall mean all appropriate forms of transport including bulk tippers, bulk blowers, flat-beds, walking
floor and bulk tanker vehicles used for any movement of goods by road.
• Step: A point, procedure, operation or stage in the supply chain including raw materials, from country of origin to country of
destination.
• store: shall include any building, shed, silo, bin, tank or other container used to store goods;
• storekeeper: - shall mean the operator of any store used to store goods.
• Sustainability: an integrated approach to environmental, social and economic impact issues (both internal and
external) leading to long term sustainable profit and growth without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs.
• testing facility: – shall mean any facility that operates testing or analytical apparatus for the purpose of establishing quality
criteria not relating to Gafta contracts.
• Trader: - shall mean a desk trader or a merchant.
• transport: – shall mean any movement of goods by road, rail, inland waterway, shipment by sea or by container.
• undesirable substance: – shall mean any substance or product, with the exception of pathogenic agents, which is present in
and/or on the product intended for animal feed and which presents a potential danger to animal or human health or could
adversely affect livestock production.
• Validation: Obtaining evidence that the elements of the HACCP plan are effective.
• vehicle: – shall include trailers or other containers used to transport goods by road.
• Verification: The application of methods, procedures, tests and other evaluations, in addition to monitoring to determine
compliance with the HACCP plan.
• vessel: – shall mean ship, barge or coaster.
• withdrawal: - The process by which the removal of an unsafe or illegal product from the supply chain is made, but does not
involve the removal of product in the consumer’s possession.

APPENDIX 2
Introduction to HACCP -
Hazard Analysis And Critical Control Point System
A. Introduction
When trading goods into certain markets, suppliers are often requested to implement quality assurance systems to
their trading operations, many of which call for HACCP-based systems. Such markets will in addition seek the quality
assurance operations to be independently audited/verified. This section aims to introduce the concept of HACCP.
The first section of this document sets out the principles of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)
system adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
The section from “Guidelines for the Application of the HACCP System” onwards provides general guidance for
the application of the system while recognizing that the details of application may vary depending on the
circumstances of the logistics operation. It is this application that a trading company would be independently
audited/verified against.
The HACCP system, which is science-based and systematic, identifies specific hazards and measures for their
control to ensure the safety of food and feed products. HACCP is a tool to assess hazards and establish control
systems that focus on prevention rather than relying mainly on end product testing. Any HACCP system is
capable of accommodating change, such as advances in equipment design, processing procedures or
technological developments.
HACCP can be applied throughout the food and feed chain from primary production to final consumption and
its implementation should be guided by scientific evidence of risks to human and animal health.
The successful application of HACCP requires the full commitment and involvement of management and the
work force. It also requires a multidisciplinary approach; this multidisciplinary approach should include, when
appropriate, expertise in storage, transport, inspection, and analysis. The application of HACCP is compatible
with the implementation of quality management systems, such as the ISO 9000 series, and is the system of
choice in the management of food safety within such systems.
Principles of the HACCP System

The HACCP system consists of the following seven principles:
• PRINCIPLE 1 Conduct a hazard analysis.
• PRINCIPLE 2 Determine the Critical Control Points (CCPs).
• PRINCIPLE 3 Establish critical limit(s).
• PRINCIPLE 4 Establish a system to monitor control of the CCP.
• PRINCIPLE 5 Establish the corrective action to be taken when monitoring

indicates that a particular CCP is not under control.
• PRINCIPLE 6 Establish procedures for verification to confirm that the

HACCP system is working effectively.
• PRINCIPLE 7 Establish documentation concerning all procedures and records

appropriate to these principles and their application.

Guidelines for the Application of the HACCP System

Prior to application of HACCP to any sector of the food and feed chain, that sector should be operating according to the
General Principles of Food Hygiene, the appropriate Codex Codes of Practice, and appropriate food safety legislation.
Management commitment is necessary for implementation of an effective HACCP system. During hazard identification,
evaluation, and subsequent operations in designing and applying HACCP systems, consideration must be given to the
impact of raw materials, ingredients, food manufacturing practices, role of manufacturing processes to control hazards,
likely end use of the product, categories of consumers of concern, and epidemiological evidence relative to food safety.
The intent of the HACCP system is to focus control at CCPs. Redesign of the operation should be considered if a hazard
which must be controlled is identified but no CCPs are found.
The HACCP application should be reviewed and necessary changes made when any modification is made in the product,
process, or any step.
It is important when applying HACCP to be flexible where appropriate, given the context of the application taking into
account the nature and the size of the operation.
Application
The application of HACCP principles consists of the following tasks as identified in the Logic Sequence for Application of
HACCP (Diagram 1).
I. ASSEMBLE HACCP TEAM

The supply operation should assure that the appropriate commodity knowledge and expertise is available for the
development of an effective HACCP plan. Ideally, this may be accomplished by assembling a multidisciplinary team.
Where such expertise is not available on site, expert advice should be obtained from other sources. The scope of
the HACCP plan should be identified. The scope should describe which segment of the supply chain is involved
and the general classes of hazards to be addressed (e.g. does it cover all classes of hazards or only selected classes).
II. DESCRIBE PRODUCT

A full description of the commodity should be drawn up, including relevant safety information such as:
composition, physical/chemical structure, microcidal/static treatments (heat treatment, antioxidants, fumigation
etc.), packaging, durability and storage conditions and method of distribution.
III. IDENTIFY INTENDED USE

The intended use should be based on the expected uses of the product by the end user or consumer.
IV. CONSTRUCT FLOW DIAGRAM

The flow diagram should be constructed by the HACCP team. The flow diagram should cover all steps in the
supply operation. When applying HACCP to a given operation, consideration should be given to steps
preceding and following the specified operation.
V. ON SITE CONFIRMATION OF FLOW DIAGRAM

The HACCP team should confirm the actual supply operation against the flow diagram during all stages and
amend the flow diagram where appropriate.
VI. LIST ALL POTENTIAL HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH STEP, CONDUCT A HAZARD ANALYSIS,
AND CONSIDER ANY MEASURES TO CONTROL IDENTIFIED HAZARDS (SEE PRINCIPLE 1)
The HACCP team should list all of the hazards that may be reasonably expected to occur at each step in the
supply chain from country of origin to the final country of destination.
The HACCP team should next conduct a hazard analysis to identify for the HACCP plan which hazards are of
such a nature that their elimination or reduction to acceptable levels is essential to the supply of a safe food or
feed material.
In conducting the hazard analysis, wherever possible the following should be included:
• the likely occurrence of hazards and severity of their adverse health effects;
• the qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation of the presence of hazards;
• survival or multiplication of microorganisms of concern;
• production or persistence of toxins, chemicals or physical agents; and,
• conditions leading to the above.

The HACCP team must then consider what control measures, if any, exist which can be applied for each hazard.
More than one control measure may be required to control a specific hazard(s) and more than one hazard may
be controlled by a specified control measure.
B. DETERMINE CRITICAL CONTROL POINTS (SEE PRINCIPLE 2)

There may be more than one CCP at which control is applied to address the same hazard. The determination of
a CCP in the HACCP system can be facilitated by the application of a decision tree (e.g. Diagram 2), which
indicates a logic reasoning approach. Application of a decision tree should be flexible, given whether the
operation is for storage, loading, discharge, sampling, analysis, transport or other. It should be used for
guidance when determining CCPs. This example of a decision tree may not be applicable to all situations. Other
approaches may be used. Training in the application of the decision tree is recommended.
If a hazard has been identified at a step where control is necessary for safety, and no control measure exists at
that step, or any other, then the operation or process should be modified at that step, or at any earlier or later
stage, to include a control measure.
C. ESTABLISH CRITICAL LIMITS FOR EACH CCP (SEE PRINCIPLE 3)

Critical limits must be specified and validated if possible for each Critical Control Point. In some cases more than
one critical limit will be elaborated at a particular step. Criteria often used include measurements of temperature,
quality and condition, undesirable substances and sensory parameters such as visual appearance, smell or odour.
D. ESTABLISH A MONITORING SYSTEM FOR EACH CCP (SEE PRINCIPLE 4)

Monitoring is the scheduled measurement or observation of a CCP relative to its critical limits. The monitoring
procedures must be able to detect loss of control at the CCP. Further, monitoring should ideally provide this
information in time to make adjustments to ensure control of the process to prevent violating the critical limits.
Where possible, process adjustments should be made when monitoring results indicate a trend towards loss of
control at a CCP. The adjustments should be taken before a deviation occurs. Data derived from monitoring
must be evaluated by a designated person with knowledge and authority to carry out corrective actions when
indicated. If monitoring is not continuous, then the amount or frequency of monitoring must be sufficient to
guarantee the CCP is in control i.e. undesirable substances monitoring. All records and documents associated
with monitoring CCPs must be signed by the person(s) doing the monitoring and by a responsible reviewing
official(s) of the company.
E. Monitoring of undesirable substances based on HACCP/Risk Assessment principles.

Operators should implement a sampling and analysis plan within the HACCP framework for the testing for
undesirable substances. The operator should determine the frequency of sampling and analysis for goods that
are handled and stored in accordance with customer requirements. The Gafta Sampling Rules No. 124 are
applicable where the goods are traded on Gafta contracts, otherwise sampling should be in accordance with
another agreed internationally recognised method.
The principle of sampling and analysis frequency is related to quantity of goods handled. As the quantity
increases the number of samples taken per tonne of goods decreases. The number of samples to be drawn and
inspected over a period in which the goods are examined for presence of undesirable substances may be
calculated using the formula:
Frequency = Volume x Chance x Seriousness

100
The standard value for chance is 1. The operator may raise or lower this value if valid reasons are given.
Considerations that may affect the standard value for chance include:
• History
• Seasonal influences
• Chances of re-contamination (eg microbiological parameters)
• New source/new suppliers
• Recent incidents
Operators may only select a chance value that is below 1 on the basis of supporting historical analysis data.
Seriousness is an expression of the perceived degree of harmfulness of an undesirable substance.
Where the level of seriousness is deemed to be high or very high a factor of 5 is used.
Where the level of seriousness is deemed moderate then factor 3 should be used.
If the seriousness level is judged to be low or small then a factor of 1 should be used.
Where food and feed goods are concerned undesirable substances such as heavy metals, pesticies or
mycotoxins should apply a minimum value of 3 but more likely 5.
Operators must have a written down monitoring protocol with a documented system for the keeping of records.

The analysis of samples drawn under the monitoring protocol should be tested by analysts in accordance with
contract requirements, ie analysts listed on the Gafta Register of Approved Analysts and/or GTAS certified
Analysts and/or analysts accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 using officially recognised methods covered by the
scope of the accreditation.
HACCP Scoring
This is a simple means of assigning scores for
• the likelihood of occurrence
• the severity for each hazard that could be encountered in a Raw Material Haulage, or Raw Material Storage
operation.
The HACCP team should assess each and every possible hazard that could be encountered.
The likelihood of occurrence is based on measurements and observations of previous situations and is assigned
a score of 1 – 3 as per the table below.
A score of 1 would be a low risk of occurrence (practically impossible or not probable), 2 would be a medium
risk (may occur, has been known to occur) and 3 is a high risk of occurrence (occurs regularly).
Similarly the severity of occurrence is based on the consequence of the hazard occurring and its likely impact is
also assigned a score of 1 – 3. A score of 1 would be small(leading to minor injury or illness) 2 would be medium
(leading to substantial injury) and 3 is high (leading to fatal consequences).
These two scores are then multiplied together to give an overall Hazard score for that Hazard.
It is suggested that Hazard scores of 5 or below should be considered within the pre-requisite programme.
Hazard scores of 6 or above should be considered as significant hazards and should be dealt with by Critical
Control Points.
Nevertheless it is the responsibility of the HACCP team to consider and evaluate each hazard in the light of the
business concerned.
HACCP Scoring System

Likelihood of occurrence
Definite (3) 3 6 9
Probable (2) 2 4 6
Possible (1) 1 2 3
Negligible (1) Major (2) Critical (3)
Severity if it occurs
F. ESTABLISH CORRECTIVE ACTIONS (SEE PRINCIPLE 5)

Specific corrective actions must be developed for each CCP in the HACCP system in order to deal with
deviations when they occur.
The actions must ensure that the CCP has been brought under control. Actions taken must also include proper
disposition of the affected food or feed material. Deviation and material disposition procedures must be
documented in the HACCP record keeping.
G. ESTABLISH VERIFICATION PROCEDURES (SEE PRINCIPLE 6)

Establish procedures for verification. Verification and auditing methods, procedures and tests, including random
sampling and analysis, can be used to determine if the HACCP system is working correctly. The frequency of
verification should be sufficient to confirm that the HACCP system is working effectively. Examples of
verification activities include:
• Review of the HACCP system and its records;
• Review of deviations and material dispositions;
• Confirmation that CCPs are kept under control.
Where possible, validation activities should include actions to confirm the efficacy of all elements of the
HACCP plan.

H. ESTABLISH DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD KEEPING (SEE PRINCIPLE 7)

Efficient and accurate record keeping is essential to the application of a HACCP system. HACCP procedures
should be documented. Documentation and record keeping should be appropriate to the nature and size of the
operation.
Documentation examples are: Record examples are:
• Hazard analysis; • CCP monitoring activities;
• CCP determination; • Deviations and associated corrective actions;
• Critical limit determination. • Modifications to the HACCP system.
An example of a HACCP worksheet is attached as Diagram 3.
a. Diagram 1. Sequence For Application Of HACCP
1 Assemble HACCP Team
2 Describe Product
3 Identify Intended Use
4 Construct Flow Diagram
5 On site Confirmation of Flow Diagram
6 List all Potential Hazards

Conduct a Hazard Analysis • Consider Control Measures
7 Determine CCPs (See Diagram 2)
8 Establish Critical Limits for each CCP
9 Establish a Monitoring System for each CCP
10 Establish Corrective Actions
11 Establish Verification Procedures
12 Establish Documentation and Record Keeping

b. Diagram 2. Example Of Decision Tree To Identify CCPs

(answer questions in sequence)
Q1 Do control preventative measure(s) exist ?
Yes No Modify step, process

or product
Is control at this step

Yes
necessary for safety ?
No Not a CCP Stop
Is the step specifically designed to

Q2 eliminate or reduce the likely occurrence Yes
of a hazard to an acceptable level ?
No
Could contamination with identified hazard(s) occur in

Q3 excess of acceptable level(s) or could these increase to
unacceptable levels ?
Yes No Not a Stop

CCP
Will a subsequent step eliminate identified hazard(s) or

Q4
reduce likely occurrence to an acceptable level ?
Yes No Critical Control Point
Not a CCP Stop

c. Diagram 3 Example Of A HACCP Worksheet
1 Describe Product
2 Diagram Process Flow
3 List (example below)
Step Hazard(s) Control CCPs Critical Monitoring Corrective Record(s)

Measure(s) Limit(s) Procedure(s) Action(s)
4 Verification

APPENDIX 3
Cleaning Methods
See also section 5.0
Any surface which comes into contact with food or feed must be clean.
Goods and materials listed in the International Database (for the) Transport (of) Feed (IDTF) that are permitted for
transport in load compartments used to carry goods covered by this scheme, are given a cleaning classification. Guidance
is given in this Appendix on how to apply these cleaning methods. The IDTF Classifications are:
(A) Dry Cleaning

(B) Cleaning with water
(C) Cleaning with water and a cleansing agent
(D) Cleaning and disinfection.
The minimum level of cleaning required by the IDTF must be applied after carriage of the goods/materials however
following a risk assessed approach, in some circumstances additional cleaning may be required.
Cleaning applies to the load compartment, underside of the cover sheet and any other surface that may come into
contact with the goods being transported. All must be drained and dry before re-loading.
(A) Dry Cleaning

In most cases where the material is dry, thorough brushing or vacuuming is sufficient, however if the material is
caked or damp washing will be necessary.
(B) Cleaning with water

Washing with hot water (70-80c) is recommended wherever possible. Where this is not practically possible cold
water may suffice. All surfaces must be dry before handling or coming into contact with goods.
(C) Cleaning with water and a cleansing agent

Washing with a hot water (70-80c) solution of any combined food grade cleansing agent (food grade sanitiser/
disinfectant) diluted in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. All surfaces must be dry before
handling or coming into contact with goods.
(D) Cleaning and disinfection

Pressure clean with a hot (70-80c) solution of any combined food grade sanitiser/disinfectant diluted in
accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. All surfaces must be dry before handling or coming into
contact with goods.
Additional cleaning options:
Steam Cleaning and Disinfecting

Where appropriate following a risk assessment, compartments and surfaces may be steam cleaned and treated
with an approved non-phenolic food grade disinfectant. All surfaces must be dry before handling or coming into
contact with goods.
Infested goods
Where infested goods have been transported, handled or stored and it is not possible or feasible to fumigate or
spray and allow sufficient time for the treatment to be effective, all surfaces, including vehicle sheets, must be
thoroughly steam cleaned. All surfaces must be dry before handling or coming into contact with goods.
The use of smoke bombs is not effective and is not recommended.

APPENDIX 4
Salmonella Sampling and Testing Procedure
(UK DEFRA October 2009 version)
multimedia.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/committee/copsal.pdf
The aim of the monitoring is to check on the environmental hygiene of the premises, equipment, incoming and outgoing products
and, if necessary, take corrective action.
The buildings, environment, plant and equipment, as well as incoming and outgoing product, must be subject to appropriate
monitoring. Sampling schedules should take account of:
1. Intended use;
2. Inherent bacteriological risks;
3. Nature and sources; and
4. Past results
Please refer to the Salmonella code for full details, the following is a suggested appropriate sampling regime.
1. Storekeepers must arrange for samples to be taken from goods and analysed, where this is not done by the owner of
the goods, as follows:
a. Incoming goods. The frequency of sampling should be based on high, medium and low risk- composite samples are acceptable
by product type. Data may already be available from the supplier or owner of the goods. For high risk products every load
should be sampled. From a historical analysis of Defra data, isolations (weighted by tonnage) have been most frequent in
rape, fishmeal, cocoa and soya beans and their derivatives.
b. Outgoing goods. Manufactured products by product or process type-composite samples are acceptable, frequency based on
high, medium and low risk also taking into account the processing carried out.
c. Samples must be drawn into a new clean bag using the “reverse bag” sampling method as a minimum. A minimum sample
size of 60g is required but the exact requirement should be agreed with the testing laboratory.
2. Storekeepers must arrange for the following samples to be taken and analysed as follows:
a. Buildings. Samples from ledges, walls, floors, storage bin tops and outloading areas and where health and safety rules allow-
samples from dust units, vacuum cleaners and the inside of storage bins may be included. Samples of dust can be taken
direct into a “reverse bag” or sterile pot or, if quantities are too small, by using swabs. Dust samples are normally much more
effective than swab samples and are therefore preferred. The sampling points must be determined using HACCP risk assessment
principles. Samples from common equipment areas such as vacuum cleaners and dust units are useful to determine the
overall salmonella risk in the storage area.
b. The best method of sampling is to take approximately 20g bulked samples comprising dust from at least ten places around
the building. These can be taken into an inverted polythene bag or with new disposable plastic gloves. Where dust levels are
insufficient for 20g then a greater number of sampling places may be used. The use of a brush is not recommended to help
collect samples unless it can be washed in a sterilising solution and fully dried; a plastic scraper washed in a sterilising solution
and dried may help in the sample collection.
c. If swab samples are utilised they must be taken with sterile swabs according to the supplier’s instructions. Swabbing
normally consists of wiping of the swab (after removal from its transportation tube) over as large and representative
an area as practicable until the swab is well coated with dust, or accumulated aggregate within equipment.
Disposable wooden scrapers or plastic spoons can also be used to sample adherent material. The sample is returned to the
tube and labelled with details of the sample area and date of sampling.
d. Frequency of sampling should be based on risk assessment. For a high risk product weekly testing is recommended. If
the risk status of the product cannot be determined it should at least initially be considered as high risk.
e. Plant and equipment. Loading equipment, elevators, conveyors, dust filters, intake and loading areas in stores - either dust or
swab samples. Frequency of sampling based on risk assessment - weekly suggested when materials are of unknown or high risk.
f. Vehicles. Buckets and vehicle bodies of loading shovels – dust or swab samples.
3. Analysis
a. Samples must be tested in accordance with approved methods laid down in The Animal By-Products Regulations 2005
(SI No 2005/2347) at a Defra listed laboratory that is approved under those regulations or to ISO 17025 standards.
4. Action to be taken following isolation

a. The following should be advised of isolations of Salmonella:
i. Defra and, where appropriate, the relevant devolved administrations (the Zoonoses Order 1989 requires laboratories to
report all isolations of Salmonella from animal/poultry feedstuffs and ingredients to Defra).
ii. If incoming goods are found to be positive then the storekeeper must immediately discuss remedial action with the owner
of the goods.
b. Where there is contamination with a regulated serovar*, or where the same serovar is regularly detected over time, then
detailed investigation to identify the source or to ensure there is no ongoing contamination is recommended. If there is
persistent contamination samples should be taken and tested after any remedial action.
c. Increasing the level of testing of the product should be considered.
d. Further actions are detailed in the Defra Code of Practice for the Control of Salmonella and will depend on the circumstances
of isolation.
* Regulated serovars are those of major public health significance. Currently these are S. Enterditis, S. Typhimurium, S. Infantis, S. Virchow and S. Hadar.

APPENDIX 5
EU Renewable Energy Directive
Certification for compliance to the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) for feedstocks certified under voluntary farm
assurance schemes approved by the EU as RED compliant.
A. Introduction
The EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC came into effect on 5th December 2010. This legislation introduced
targets for renewable energy in EU member states and enables the supply of feedstocks for biofuels and bioliquids. The
legislation applies to all goods intended to be classified as “sustainable”, for use as biofuel and bioliquid in the EU which
are intended to count towards national renewable energy targets.
Guidance: It is not prohibited to produce or sell unsustainable biofuels in the EU (ie not counting towards renewable
targets and support) and RED does not apply for goods intended for other purposes.
B. Scope
In order to supply the biofuels markets, European legislation requires independent verification of compliance with various
sustainability criteria. This manual provides a set of minimum standards of best practice for companies and individuals
operating as Traders or Merchants, who trade and handle goods [including imports and exports] intended for use as
biofuels or bioliquids and for which demonstration of compliance with the requirements of the EU Renewable Energy
Directive is a requirement. The standards apply to goods moving from farm gate to the first gathering point
(store/silo/mill), subsequent gathering points (inc points of import/export) and to first processor.
The Gafta Trade Assurance Scheme applies to operators in the supply chain. It covers the trading, handling and
transportation of goods. It enables the trading of all types of combinable crops and animal feed materials for food and
feed purposes and for use as biofuels or bioliquids. GTAS therefore applies to RED compliant and non RED compliant
goods, also assured and non-assured goods, organic and non-organic etc. RED compliance is demonstrated by clearly
annotated documentation accompanying goods in transit and by cross checking compliance status with on-line
databases. Where RED goods are involved the requirement to operate a RED compliant mass balance system applies. The
chain of custody must be kept separate and the HACCP systems audited accordingly. Where applicable RED compliant
goods may be separately stored.
Traders who procure and deliver goods for biofuels or bioliquids must be able to provide evidence that the requirements
of RED are being met, by production of a proof of sustainability, certificate or equivalent issued under an EU approved
certification scheme, for each consignment of goods supplied.
For the purposes of EU RED legislation, GTAS is classified as a “voluntary scheme” that covers some of the sustainability
criteria of the Directive. The auditing and certification of companies under an EU recognised voluntary scheme fulfils the
criteria for evidencing sustainability as set out in Directive 2009/28/EC.
This Appendix is intended to be applied internationally in countries where goods are grown and certified under a
European Community recognised farm assurance scheme.
Operators that are RED certified are identified on the GTAS on-line database checker. Database references are operator
and site specific, if multi site operations apply. The on-line database is updated daily and the onus rests with parties to
check regularly the status of the parties. Goods should not be unloaded at a store or at end user premises without first
checking the status of the transport company and chain of custody online.
The Gafta Trade Assurance Scheme recognises other voluntary schemes that have been approved as being RED compliant
by the European Commission and which recognise the full range of land criteria as set out in the Directive (Art. 17 (3) – (5).
The list of approved voluntary schemes can be viewed on the EC website using the following link:
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/biofuels/sustainability_schemes_en.htm
Note: GTAS recognises those schemes that fully comply with the land criteria (without exceptions) to Art. 17 (3) – (5) of
the Directive and these can be found listed in the “Overview table including information on updates of recognised
voluntary schemes”. A list of schemes is available on the Gafta website.
1.0 Contracts with growers.

Growers must provide evidence that crops have been produced on land that meets the new sustainability criteria. This is
designed to protect land that is classified as being highly bio diverse, and/or has high carbon stock and the protection of
other sensitive land environments like undrained peat land.
Evidence provided by growers must be verified (audited) before confirmation can be made available that the sustainability
criteria have been met by individual producers on the crops supplied into the biofuel and bioliquids chain. Independent
verification for growers can be achieved (inter alia) as part of the certification of Assured Crops/Farm Assurance schemes
that have been approved by the EU as meeting RED requirements. The normal method by which third parties can check
the certification of growers that are members of Assurance Schemes is via an online database facility. Where RED

compliance is certified this must be separately annotated for the avoidance of doubt. Growers may be fully or partially
compliant or not compliant/not participating in supply of feedstocks for biofuels. Partially compliant growers must keep
their own records and be able to demonstrate that the quantity of feedstocks supplied do not exceed the verified
percentage of partial compliance.
1.1 Goods intended for use as biofuels, biomass or bio liquids for the production of renewable energy in Europe must comply
with the main principles set down in RED. The three main principles may be summarised as:
1st principle: the goods must not have been produced on land that has a high biodiversity value or from land with a high
carbon stock. Crops must have been produced on land that meet the sustainability criteria of the Directive as laid out in
Art. 17 (3) – (5).
In accordance with Art. 17 (3) this is land with a high biodiversity value, namely land that had one of the statuses (as
follows) in or after January 2008, whether or not the land continues to have that status:
a) primary forest and other wooded land, namely forest and other wooded land of native species, where there is no clearly
visible indication of human activity and the ecological processes are not significantly disturbed;
b) areas designated:
(i) By law or by the relevant competent authority for nature protection purposes; or
(ii) For the protection of rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems or species recognized by international agreements
or included in lists drawn up by intergovernmental organizations or the International Union for the Conservation of
Nature, subject to their recognition in accordance with the second sub paragraph of Art. 18(4).
unless evidence is provided that the production of the raw material did not interfere with those nature protection purposes;
c) highly biodiverse grassland that is;
(i) Natural, namely grassland that would remain grassland in the absence of human intervention and which maintains
the natural species composition and ecological characteristics and processes; or
(ii) Non-natural, namely grassland that would cease to be grassland in the absence of human intervention and which is
species-rich and not degraded, unless evidence is provided that the harvesting of the raw material is necessary to
preserve its grassland status.
In accordance with Art. 17 (4) this is land with high carbon stock, namely land that had one of the following statuses in
January 2008 and no longer has that status:
a) wetlands, namely land that is covered with or saturated by water permanently or for a significant part of the year;
b) continuously forested areas, namely land spanning more than one hectare with trees higher than five metres and a
canopy cover of more than 30%, or trees able to reach those thresholds in situ;
c) land spanning more than one hectare with trees higher than five metres and a canopy cover of between 10% and 30%,
or trees able to reach those thresholds in situ, unless evidence is provided that the carbon stock of the area before and
after conversion is such that, when methodology laid down in part C of Annex V is applied, the conditions laid down in
paragraph 2 of this Article would be fulfilled.
Note: the provisions of Art. 17 (4) do not apply if, at the time the raw material was obtained, the land had the same status
as it had in January 2008.
In accordance with Art. 17 (5) this is land that was peatland in January 2008, unless evidence is provided that the
cultivation and harvesting of the raw material does not involve drainage of previously undrained soil.
2nd principle: the goods were produced in compliance with all applicable national and regional laws and international
treaties
3rd principle: that good management practices were applied
1.2 Only feedstocks certified as being RED compliant under an EU recognised voluntary farm scheme are permitted. Self
declaration is not allowed.
2.0 Mass Balancing.
2.1 The directive enables all economic operators in the chain of custody of biofuels and bioliquids to apply a mass balance
(MB) system. This allows consignments of raw materials or biofuels/bioliquids with different sustainability characteristics
to be mixed on a “site basis” (this is defined as one geographical location with precise boundaries which can include a
farm store, commercial/merchant storage site, co-operative site, flat store bays, silo bins or vessel). Sustainability
characteristics could include: evidence showing compliance with RED sustainability criteria or a statement that the raw
materials used were obtained in a way that complies with RED’s land related sustainability criteria or the statement
“production has been awarded a certificate of type X from a recognised voluntary scheme Y” etc. Sustainability
characteristics should always include information about country of origin.
2.2 Where mixing takes place, it requires that information about the sustainability characteristics and size of consignments
remain assigned to the mixed bulk and provides for the sum of all consignments withdrawn from the mixed bulk to be
described as having the same sustainability characteristics, in the same quantities, as the sum of all consignments added
to the mixture. Records must be kept of the mass balance of materials being delivered into and out of stores. In order to
be considered RED compliant, Storekeepers must be audited for correct application of mass balance accounting. This
includes the demonstration that the MB calculation has been correctly applied (balanced) over a designated or justifiable
time period.

2.3 For traders, merchants and commercial storage and handling facilities in the first year of operation Mass Balancing shall
not exceed a twelve month period (a marketing or crop year). Thereafter the mass balancing period(s) shall not exceed
three months.
2.4 Under the mass balancing system the averaging of GHG values is not permitted. If consignments are aggregated
administratively the worst GHG performance shall be taken for the whole consignment. Disaggregated values can be
declared.
2.5 Traders and merchants who supply raw materials to buyers to be used for biofuels and bioliquids must be able to
demonstrate that where mass balancing was applied to the goods delivered, that the facility has been certified as
competent in mass balance accounting. This can be done by referring to the stores sustainability certification using the
appropriate scheme on-line database. Traders and Merchants must be able to supply records to confirm the mass balance
of the materials delivered into and out of each store/gathering point in the chain of custody.
2.6 Where a merchant/trader owns and operates a “dependant” storage facility the mass balance shall be determined by the
owner/operator for which certification as being RED compliant is required.
2.7 3rd party commercial storage and handling facilities intending to operate mass balancing operations are required to be
certified as being RED compliant for this purpose.
2.8 Segregation and Mass Balance options
2.8.1 Complete physical separation. Where individual batches of sustainable and unsustainable goods are physically handled,
stored and re-delivered separately and there is no mixing of sustainable goods with differing GHG values, then each batch
is deemed to keep its ID and individual values and MB does not apply; in other words Identity Preservation (hard IP).
2.8.2 Physical separation of sustainable and unsustainable goods; common bulks of goods with same GHG value; no mixing of
lots of differing GHG value. Not strictly mass balance, normal record keeping should suffice.
2.8.3 No physical separation of sustainable/unsustainable goods. Mass Balance methodology allows the mixing of sustainable
(with or without differing GHG values) and unsustainable goods in a common bulk. Where this occurs a MB account must
be kept. The MB accounting must specify the time period to which it applies.
2.8.4 Economic operators are not permitted to operate a single mass balance approach over more than one geographical
location.
Guidance: where mass balancing is done by audited and certified companies (and verified on a scheme online database
such as the GTAS web checker) it is probable that evidence of the actual calculation will not be required by the chain of
custody, only the outcomes. Storekeepers and others who do this however must be in a position to provide this
nformation to bona fide companies if requested. This is more likely to form part of a contractual agreement than an ad hoc
request.
3.0 Responsibility for Compliance under RED.

RED places the responsibility for compliance on the economic operator that benefits from support or is under a blending
obligation. Without the proper evidence in the chain the Member State may not give support or allow goods to count
towards quotas. Technically the compliance attaches to the feed stocks themselves, which is evidenced by accompanying
certification and this information must be carried up the chain of custody to the end processor/user.
4.0 Assessment requirements
4.1 Applicants are required to pass an initial audit before being allowed to participate in the scheme.
4.2 After the initial audit, routine surveillance audits are carried out annually at any time during the year.
4.3 Applicants must have an auditable system for the evidence related to the claims they make or rely on.
4.4 All documentary evidence must be kept for a minimum period of 5 years.
4.5 Applicants must accept responsibility for preparing any information related to the auditing of evidence related to the
claims they make or rely on.
4.6 Unless otherwise agreed, the auditable system shall be a quality system covering (inter alia) information flows, documents
and control systems.
4.7 Scheme verifiers are required to undertake at least annual retrospective audits of a sample of claims made by individual
economic operators under the scheme. The economic operators in the sample will vary from one period to another. The
scheme verifiers will establish the size of sample required to reach the necessary level of confidence for issuing certificates.

4.8 Mass balance – operators in a chain of custody must be able to demonstrate where any intermediate mass balancing
operations have taken place for which they are responsible. Verification of MB systems must be performed simultaneously
with verification of correctness of the scheme criteria (ie examination of systems used for the purpose of complying with
the requirements of MB system).
5.0 Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
5.1 Calculation of the greenhouse gas (GHG) impact of bio fuels and bio liquids (GHG balance).
The basis of RED is the assumption that energy produced from biofuels and bioliquids represents a GHG saving over other
types of fuel (eg fossil fuels). GHG savings will be reduced in the case of inefficient production of biofuels/bioliquids and
therefore RED requires evidence of the actual savings. This is a complex calculation when taken through the entire supply
chain and therefore Art 19 of RED sets out the principle of “Typical” “Default” and “Disaggregated Default” values for
biofuels and bioliquids (if produced with no net carbon emissions from land use change).
5.1.1 Annex V of RED is a table of rules and values for the calculation of GHG impact.
5.1.2 Where GHG default values are used and accompanying load documentation identifies the address of the grower and/or
assurance scheme membership number and/or NUTS2 region code, this is deemed sufficient evidence to identify the
origin for the purposes of final declaration of default value. Therefore under these circumstances it is not a requirement to
declare GHG values on the documents accompanying the goods. Likewise there is no requirement for GHG default values
to be notified from seller to buyer even if the origin of the goods is identified as only the final economic operator can do
this once the bio fuel has been produced.
5.1.3 GHG values can be advised by sellers to buyers as part of the usual contractual documents exchanged in the normal
manner. This includes contract notes and confirmations, delivery notes, invoices and other types of document. It is not
envisaged that a separate or new document is required for this purpose.
5.1.4 The averaging of GHG values is not permitted. If consignments are aggregated administratively the worst GHG
performance should be taken for the whole consignment. In other words aggregating GHG values may not be used to
raise the level of non compliant GHG values to levels of compliance. Disaggregated GHG values can be declared.
5.2 Default GHG Values

Economic operators are able to use default GHG values set by the EU instead of actual values for calculating GHG impacts,
to reduce the administrative burden of calculating actual values. The predetermined default values are not location
specific. Default values are set by feedstock, but for EU biofuels/bioliquids the default values can only be used if the
feedstock was cultivated in a NUTS2 region where the typical GHG emissions from cultivation of agricultural raw materials
can be expected to be lower than or equal to the emissions reported under the heading “Disaggregated default values for
cultivation” in Part D of Annex V of RED. Default values are subject to updating depending on scientific and technical
advances every two years starting in 2010.
5.3 Imported feedstocks

Documents going forward in the chain of custody should contain the statement “For GHG declaration purposes these
feedstocks have been imported from a third country and were landed in (place of discharging in the EU)”.
Guidance: the regional default values for GHG emissions at NUTS2 level (basic regions for the application of regional
policies) are available for EU member states following this link:
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/transparency_platform/emissions_en.htm
Information regarding NUTS nomenclature is available following this link:
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/nuts_nomenclature/introduction
Please note: some NUTS2 regional GHG values are not compliant with Annex V RED minimum GHG requirements.
6.0 Mandatory documents
6.1 The provision of documents in the chain of custody establishes the required traceability and verification regarding the feed
stocks going forward through the chain. This is generally referred to as the “Statement of Conformity” or “Sustainability
Declaration”. This must relate to an identifiable consignment (or lot) of goods.
6.2 There are two types of document chain in operation, those that identify and travel with the goods on a load by load basis
and those passing from seller to buyer on a contract by contract basis.
6.3 Documents travelling with the goods are issued initially by the grower and thereafter from store to store or end
user/export facility, and are well established. They are issued on a load by load basis. Delivery documentation must include
a RED declaration. For example: “this load (consignment) has been grown on land which meets the requirements of the
Renewable Energy Directive sustainability criteria”.
Growers certified under an assurance scheme must clearly show their scheme ID or identifying mark/sticker on the
delivery documentation.
6.4 Normal documents passing from sellers to buyers include copies of delivery notes and invoices on a contract by contract
basis. Such documents shall contain a statement declaring they are considered to be of a sustainable nature, for example:
“these goods are certified as sustainable in accordance with Directive 2009/28/EC.”

6.5 For ease of administration, parties to a contract may agree that the GHG default values (not actual values - even if
available) will be used. This is acceptable practice under the Directive.
6.6 Documents relating to the goods may be used to pass on information that is relevant to the GHG calculation including the
geographic area the goods came from. Additionally and if provided by the EU recognised farm assurance scheme, all
information about the annualised emissions from carbon stock changes caused by land use change must be passed on in
the chain of custody.
6.7 The information required by economic operators from the place of first gathering (storage facility) on a load by load basis
may be summarised as:
Name and address coordinates of grower

Name of first gathering point
Unique ID/Ref number for consignment (eg weighbridge ticket)
RED scheme ID/mark/sticker
Contract number/purchaser of goods from grower
Description of goods intended for biofuel/bioliquid
Date of delivery to gathering point
Tonnage delivered
GHG value declared (state actual or default) - see 6.6 above.
Mode and ID (vehicle registration number etc) of transport
6.8 The information to be stated on the documents passed from seller to buyer (Sustainability Declaration) going forward
must include:
Name and address coordinates of customer

Name of first gathering point
Unique ID/Ref number for consignment (eg weighbridge ticket)
Contract number and customer (buyer)
Description of goods intended for biofuel/bioliquid
Date of outloading from gathering point
Tonnage outloaded
GHG value per MB calculation (state actual or default) – see 6.6 above
Mode and ID of transport (as above)
7.0 Records
Records of all relevant documents must be retained for a minimum period of 5 years as required by the EU legislation.
8.0 Simplified step procedure

The following step procedure will apply where an EU recognised RED compliant scheme is in operation and the grower is a
member of a recognised voluntary farm Assurance Scheme approved by the EU as being RED compliant.
8.1 Grower is certified as RED compliant under his farm assurance scheme. This is recorded on scheme database for
verification use by 3rd parties.
8.2 Grower makes general RED compliance self declaration to country Trader/Merchant (the first gatherer). This is likely to be
a requirement that precedes a contract for the purchase of goods.
8.3 Country Merchant/Trader is audited annually and certified for RED compliance (eg GTAS, ISCC etc). Certified operators are
recorded on the relevant scheme database for verification by 3rd parties. The office audit of operators will include a
percentage of “dependant” (ie owned/exclusively operated) silos/elevators/warehouses where these are not certified as
RED compliant in their own right. Group auditing may be possible for multi site operators that follow a common quality
management system. GTAS participants can only accept evidence of compliance with an EU recognised voluntary scheme
and this applies only to those schemes recognised by the EU for all land-related criteria and only the version and scope of
a scheme that is recognised by the EU. The country merchant/trader holds contracts with growers. Receives and files self
declarations from growers. Country merchant/traders who operate dependant stores keep records of any mass balancing
operations they undertake.
8.4 Storekeeper/handling facilities are audited for RED compliance if mass balancing is to be applied. This is recorded on the
scheme online database for verification use by 3rd parties. Storage and handling facilities that are RED compliant are
issued with a GTAS RED scheme ID and/or identifying number/mark or sticker.
8.5 Transport of goods is arranged using transport companies certified under GTAS or other recognised assurance scheme.
This is recorded on the scheme database for verification by 3rd parties.
8.6 For each load/consignment of goods leaving the grower’s premises a loading document is provided to accompany the
load, including a statement that “this load (consignment) has been grown on land which meets the requirements of the
Renewable Energy Directive sustainability criteria”. Farm Assurance Scheme identification number/mark or sticker is
applied to document. Loading document should clearly state the grower’s location/Assurance scheme ID.
8.7 For each load arriving at a storage/handling facility (gathering point) the Storekeeper receives goods accompanied by the

loading document quoting the RED statement. Storekeeper cross checks certification status of grower by using the
scheme database. Once this is confirmed the goods are stored in accordance with requirements. Goods may be stored
separately or in a common bulk.
8.8 Where goods for biomass are co-mingled the storekeeper is required to follow mass balancing accounting principles. Mass
Balance calculations are recorded.
8.9 Where goods are transported from 1st gathering point to 2nd gathering point/ bio-mill/converter facility or export facility
the storekeeper must complete the load documentation to accompany the goods including the RED declaration as
provided by the grower. GTAS RED identification numbers/marks or stickers will be applied to the delivery document.
8.10 1st processor/bio-mill/converter facility receives goods for energy production from a gathering point. Intake operator
must cross check that the storage facility is RED certified by checking the relevant scheme on-line database.
8.11 Storekeepers/handling facilities with RED certification that are operating mass balancing must keep detailed records of
goods received and out loaded for the various MB calculations on a maximum balancing period of three months. If a bona
fide request is received, storekeepers will make their MB calculations available.
8.12 Sellers provide buyers in the chain of custody - on a contract by contract basis - with a “Sustainability Declaration” eg
“these goods are certified as sustainable in accordance with Directive 2009/28/EC.” in respect of all loads delivered.
Where mass balancing has occurred sellers must advise buyers of the GHG Default values after receipt of this information
from the relevant stores.
8.13 Storekeepers and trader/merchants are audited for compliance with RED annually (see GTAS Storage and Trading Codes)

APPENDIX 6
International Database for Transport of Feed (IDTF)

The IDTF is an initiative of the International Committee for Road Transport (ICRT) which includes the main food and feed
assurance scheme owners in Europe covering the transport of goods (in the combinable crops and animal feed sectors).
The seven members of the ICRT are:
• OVOCOM vzw, based in Belgium owner of the quality assurance scheme called GMP Animal Feed.
• Qualimat, based in France, owner of the quality assurance scheme called Qualimat Transport.
• QS Qualitat und Sicherheit GmbH (QS), based in Germany, owner of the quality assurance scheme called QS.
• GMP+ International B.V., based in The Netherlands, owner of the GMP+ Feed Safety Assurance Scheme
(GMP+ FSA).
• COCERAL aisbl, based in Belgium, owner of the Good Trading Practice scheme (GTP).
• Agricultural Industries Confederation, based in the United Kingdom, owner of the quality assurance schemes
TASCC, UFAS and FEMAS.
• Gafta, based in the United Kingdom with offices in Geneva, Beijing, Kiev, owner of the Gafta Trade
Assurance scheme.
Launched in April 2012 the IDTF is a list of over 3300 goods, materials and products registered and maintained in an
interactive database (in 4 languages) that is freely accessible to all users.
The database is designed to enable quick and efficient consultation via the online facility and is particularly useful for
transport operators to check on goods or materials prior to carriage. Searches can be made using a range of criteria and
can be exported to excel spead sheets.
The purpose of ICRT/IDTF is the harmonisation of the requirements for bulk transport of products intended for animal
feed. The Committee classifies transported products based on hazard analysis and determines cleaning regimes
necessary to assure safe feed transport.
Each item on the database is allocated a unique IDTF number and can cross reference with common product names.
Since the database is continually developing there are procedures in the IDTF to add new materials or to re-assess
existing listed items.
Procedures are available for re-instatement of load compartments in some circumstances following the carriage of
forbidden materials. These involve treatment of load spaces on a risk assessed basis and independent verification.
The categories for classification and cleaning of load compartments are:
A dry clean (brush/vacuum)

B clean with water
C clean with water and cleansing agent
D Cleaning and disinfection
Forbidden:
Goods not allowed to be carried. NB: under the IDTF rules unclassified goods are forbidden for carriage.
List of differences
In the majority of cases the members of the ICRT agree on the appropriate cleaning regime following carriage of listed
goods or materials, however in some cases this is not achievable, perhaps due to national legislation. In such cases this
appears as a “List of Differences” and the requirements of the individual scheme(s) are listed. The requirements of the
scheme into which the goods are being delivered should be followed in such circumstances.
www.icrt-idtf.com

APPENDIX 7
Guidance Note for the Control of Birds
1. Newcastle Disease (‘Fowl Pest’), Avian Influenza, Avian Tuberculosis and other diseases may all be carried by wild,
domestic and feral birds. In addition, birds can be carriers of Salmonella and other pathogens harmful to both livestock
and humans. It is therefore crucial to take all reasonable precautions to exclude birds from areas where goods are
produced, handled, stored or consumed.
1.1 The presence of any species of bird in the vicinity of goods must be considered potentially hazardous in risk assessment
studies.
1.2 Birds may be attracted to areas for three main reasons: availability of food; availability of shelter and roosting sites;
availability of nesting sites. Wherever possible birds must be denied these.
1.3 Making a site unattractive to birds is likely to be more effective in the long-term than trying to control birds already active
on the site.
1.4 Wherever possible, birds should be deterred rather than destroyed. Destruction of any bird species must always be a last
resort and is not acceptable for any protected species. Where shooting is necessary as a last resort, lead-free ammunition
must be used.
1.5 Where netting is used to deter birds, wire netting is preferable to string netting, as it is less likely to tangle birds.
2. Circumstances will vary with individual situations, but in general terms the following guidelines will be applied
by assurance schemes:
2.1 The presence of birds, or evidence of nesting or roosting sites in process and storage buildings is not acceptable.
2.2 Where birds are a problem, active programmes must be in place to reduce access to food and shelter.
2.3 Doors must be kept closed whenever possible. It is recognised by the industry that operators of flat stores may need to
keep doors open for extended periods. Should birds enter stores at these times, they must not be allowed to settle and
must be removed as promptly as possible.
2.4 Where necessary, the eaves of buildings must be proofed against bird access.
2.5 Windows that are habitually left open must be screened or caged to prevent access by birds.
2.6 Spillages of goods must be promptly removed to avoid attracting birds.
2.7 Containers utilised to hold edible waste, such as skips and bins, must be covered to prevent access to birds.
2.8 Any birds gaining access to buildings must not be allowed to settle and must be removed as promptly as possible.
Access points must be discovered and effective remedial action taken.
2.9 Intakes and loading points must be enclosed or covered when not in use.

LONDON BEIJING GENEVA KIEV
9 Lincoln's Inn Fields, Leading International Center, 8 Rue de la Cloche, 1201 8 Saperno Slobidska Street,
London WC2A 3BP No.1 Guang Qu Men Nan Geneva Kiev, 03039
UNITED KINGDOM Xiao Jie, ChongWen District, SWITZERLAND UKRAINE
100061, Beijing
CHINA
T: +44 20 7814 9666 T: +86 10 6712 1741 T: +41 22 715 24 30 T: +380 44 524 0329
F: +44 20 7814 8383 F: +86 10 6712 1742 F: +41 22 731 72 79 F: +380 44 524 0231
E: post@gafta.com E: beijing@gafta.com E: geneva@gafta.com E: kiev@gafta.com
W: www.gafta.com W: www.gafta.com.cn W: www.gafta.com W: www.gaftakyiv.com

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VERSION 6.

BULK STORAGE AND HANDLING

Code of Practice for

GTAS Bulk Storage and Handling Manual.

16 Appendix 1: General Deﬁnitions

GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME 1

2.0 Deﬁnition, Scope and Store Eligibility

Deﬁnitions relating to this Manual are set out in Appendix 1.

4.0 EU Renewable Energy Directive

2 GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME

5.0 International Database for Transport of Feed (IDTF)

See Appendix 3 for more information regarding Cleaning Methods

7.0 Loading and Discharge Handling Operations

The key controls necessary for load/discharge operators are: -

GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME 3

7.11 Each operation must be recorded. [R]

8.0 Statutory Requirements

9.0 Food and Feed Premises Registration Regulations

10.0 Registration of Storekeepers under EU TSE Regulations

11.0 Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)

12.2 Roofs must be sound and leak proof.

4 GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME

12.6 There must be adequate and effective drainage.

13.0 Cleaning the Store

GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME 5

14.0 Contracting Out

16.0 Storage Operations

16.7 Moist Co-Products

16.8 Infested Products

6 GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME

For the full list please see EU Directive 2007/68/EC

16.11 Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances (NOPS)

17.0 Liquid Feed

18.0 Requirements for Feed Material Packing Operations in Assured Stores

18.1 Packaged Feed Ingredients

GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME 7

18.4 Packaging Operations

18.5 Big Bags and Containers

Single trip bags must not be re-used.

8 GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME

18.8 Packaging Records

18.9 Storage of bagged feed materials or containers of liquid feed materials

19.0 Pest and Vermin Control

K 19.8 Animals of any description must be excluded from stores.

20.0 Store Management for all Goods

GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME 9

21.0 Drying, Cleaning, Conditioning and Blending of Goods

10 GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME

22.0 Simple Processing

This can be for use on site or for sale/delivery to a third party.

23.0 Monitoring of Undesirable Substances

23.2 Other undesirable substances

GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME 11

24.0 Use of Pesticides and Fumigants

See also the GTAS Fumigation and Pest Control manual.

25.0 Customer Requirements

26.0 Acceptance of a Storage Order

27.0 Incoming goods

12 GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME

28.0 Outgoing goods

GAFTA TRADE ASSURANCE SCHEME 13

29.3 Eating and drinking should only be permitted in designated areas.

K 30.2 Training may be carried out on an in-house basis.