FAMI-QS and GMP+ International move ahead with a memorandum of understanding

On the March 1, 2013, FAMI-QS and GMP+ International established a memorandum of understanding (MoU) following the rise in third party certification as a feature in the global feed chain.

The memorandum, based on the trust between FAMI-QS and GMP+, will aim to facilitate the world trade feed by eliminating technical barriers to trade, without jeopardising feed safety.

The agreement comprises of the production and trade of feed products. By working together, those certified are covered by both FAMI-QS and GMP+ International schemes. Both companies have also agreed to work together on topics like accreditation, harmonisation of schemes and promotion of feed safety assurance all around the world. As part of the memorandum, both organisations will also launch a global benchmark exercise.

It is expected that the agreement, based on ISO/IEC guide 68 ‘arrangements for the recognition and acceptance of conformity assessment results’ will increase confidence, trust, recognition and global acceptance. 

FAMI-QS and GMP+ sign memorandum of understanding

FAMI-QS third party certification scheme endorsed by European Co-operation for Accreditation

Following an extensive evaluation against International Accreditation Standards, EA endorsed FAMI-QS for inclusion into the MultiLateral Agreement (MLA). FAMI-QS Third Party Certification System is the first scheme operating in the feed sector accepted for inclusion under EA-MLA.

With the view to harmonise the evaluation of sector specific schemes seeking accreditation in Europe, EA established a policy, procedures and criteria by which sector specific schemes shall be evaluated. FAMI-QS appreciated and welcomed the initiative of EA to harmonise the accreditation process and decision for the sector specific schemes and accompanied the procedure from an early stage.

FAMI-QS is among the first sector specific schemes which applied for a formal evaluation at European Level and inclusion under EA-MLA. FAMI-QS was assessed against the International Accreditation Standards and the output of this evaluation was positive.

The acceptance of FAMI-QS under the EA-MLA provides the common platform for all European Accreditation Bodies to fully integrate FAMI-QS in their services. Thus, all the FAMI-QS authorised Certification Bodies will include FAMI-QS under their accreditation. Thought the accreditation process, FAMI-QS ensures that all authorised Certification Bodies have to demonstrate to deliver a consistently reliable and impartial FAMI-QS certification audit.

The accreditation is provided in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021 and ISO/TS 22003 for the following categories covering the whole scope of FAMI-QS:
Category L, Biochemical Manufacturing: Feed additives, Premixtures Category H, Distribution: Trade
Category F, Feed Production: Functional Feed Ingredients, Specialty Complementary Feed and Specialty Complementary Dietetic Feed.

FAMI-QS and Sindiracoes share experience with a feed safety course

FAMI-QS and Sindirações shared their experience in third party certification with the Coordination of Animal Feed Inspection in Brazil.

FAMI-QS in close co-operation with Sindirações (the Brazilian Feed Industry Association) organised a five day training course for the Feed Regulators responsible for Animal Feed Inspection in Brazil. The training focused on the auditing of Feed Safety Management System based on the requirements of the FAMI-QS code: The Quality and Safety for Specialty Feed Ingredients (Feed Additives, Functional Feed Ingredients, Premixtures, Specialty Complementary Feed, Specialty Complementary Dietetic Feed). FAMI-QS certification is based on the approved European Commission Community Guide to Good Practice (OJ 2007/C64/04).

English: Brazil Português: Brasil Русский: Бразилия (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The training was undertaken as part of the agreement for close co-operation signed in March 2010 between Sindirações and FAMI-QS. As such, the training was aligned closer to of the aims of the agreement – ‘incorporate the knowledge obtained by FAMI-QS at world level at local level and boost the quality and safety management in the Brazilian feed industry’.

The purpose of the training was to present to the Brazilian Feed Regulators the usefulness of third party certification for official controls. As the FAMI-QS Code complies with the hygienic requirements of the EU Feed Hygiene Regulation (EC 183/2005), certified companies meet state-of-the-art hygiene practices, invaluable tool for ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, be it in Europe where the system started; but also elsewhere in the world where feed safety is considered of utmost importance.

"The global population reached 7 billion last year and it is estimated to reach over 9 billion people in 2050, probably in response to increasing longevity and improved standard of living, mainly due to the excellence in food safety measures and health care. This demographic jump is expected to be concentrated in developing countries thanks to the growth of household income that certainly will determine quantitative and qualitative increase in the consumption of animal protein. Brazil as an emergent country is already considered one of the 21st century leading global suppliers of food and in 2020 it might produce 11.4 million tons of beef, 3.7 million tons of pork and 16.5 million tons of poultry, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development/OECD", stated Dr. Ariovaldo Zani, CEO of the Brazilian Feed Industry Association/Sindirações, who considers this FAMI-QS partnership a must for safe feed and food safety.

“Feed safety is a shared responsibility with the public and private stakeholders participating equally. One can see in several parts of the world a progressive shift from the traditional command-and-control approach to a new paradigm where official control and high-standard voluntary certification systems seek complementarity and synergy. We were not only honoured to bring FAMI-QS know-how to the Brazilian Feed Regulators, but also believe that this experience places Brazil amongst those forward-looking countries with progressive positioning with regards to official controls.”, says Didier Jans, FAMI-QS Secretary General.

The Coordination of Animal Feed Inspection in Brazil, especially with pivotal focus on the future, is exploring the best practices around the world in order to optimise and improve their already demanding tasks. FAMI-QS (Mr. Emmanuel Geneiatakis – FAMI-QS Quality Manager) and Sindirações (Mrs Angela Pellegrino Missaglia - Quality Consultant of Sindirações) thus shared their experience of the implementation of the FAMI-QS quality and safety management systems in the feed sector. During the five days, the inspectors were guided through the EU Feed legislation, the requirements of FAMI-QS code as well as ISO 19011:2011 Guidelines for auditing management systems. Taking a practical teaching approach and to embed the key take-homes, an on-site activity took place at M. CASSAB premix plant located in the countryside of São Paulo Estate.

More information...