2016 maize harvest added to Aflatoxin B1 profile

This adjustment of the protocol means that the harvest year 2016 has been added and that an additional table has been included with the risk profiles of the countries of cultivation of the maize harvest 2016. The renewed protocol is compulsory and takes effect on September 1^st 2016. Until then, the old protocol shall remain in effect for maize and maize byproducts originating from the harvest 2015.

Risk profile countries of cultivation maize harvest 2016

Together with other collaborating scheme holders, GMP+ International has assigned risk profiles (Low, Medium, High) to the countries of cultivation of the maize harvest 2016. The risk of Aflatoxin B1 greatly depends on weather conditions, and these can change annually and per region. That is why, in the classification of countries, just like last year, information about cultivation and harvest conditions has been considered.

In addition, attention has been paid to countries where possible mixing with old (2015) harvest from high-risk countries, could pose a risk for feed safety. Based on these criteria, the decision was made – at the beginning of harvest year 2016 – to first classify all countries as Medium with the exception of 15 low-risk countries and 3 high-risk countries. For the exact classification of countries of cultivation of the maize harvest 2016, please see the protocol.

With addition – some countries change classification rating

GMP addresses that the classification at the beginning of harvest year 2016, differs from the current classification for harvest year 2015 for the countries Canada, Poland and Czech Republic. These countries of cultivation have been classified as Medium for the maize harvest 2016, whereas they have been classified as Low for the maize harvest 2015.