Gatekeeper protocols for the purchase of unprocessed agricultural products

Purchase of unprocessed agricultural products

For the purchase of unprocessed agricultural products two protocols are available:

• The protocol in GMP+ BA10, Annex 4 gives specific requirements when products are purchased directly from a grower / farmer;
• The protocol in GMP+ BA10, Annex 5 gives specific requirements when buying the products from, for example, a non-certified collector or non-certified other company in the supply chain.

Remarks:

• Both protocols are only mandatory to be used by GMP+ feed companies when buying the unprocessed agricultural products like grains, seeds or legumes for use as or use in feed. 
  Note: companies which produce food products are not mandatory to use the protocols. Even when these food producing companies are GMP+ certified for the production of the co-products they produce for use in or as feed. Examples: crushers, flour mills, breweries.
• The protocol in Annex 4 gives requirements for buying directly from a farmer/grower. Read also our newsletter of January 4th 2017 about Cultivation schemes and GMP+ FC schemes.
• The protocol in Annex 5 gives requirements for buying from a non-certified supplier (e.g. a collector). Please, keep in mind that this protocol is not mandatory when you buy from a GMP+ certified collector. It is also important to realize that this protocol cannot be applied for buying grains, oilseeds and legumes from certain countries.

The flowchart below gives a few examples to explain how this works for the oil seeds and grain supply chain. Be aware that these are examples! The overview shows when application of GMP+ BA10 Annex 4 of Annex 5 is mandatory and when it’s recommended. 

In case of any doubts or questions you can contact the GMP+ Helpdesk via the contact form.