GNBS revises poultry feed standard
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) recently revised the national standard for poultry feed in order to address quality concerns associated with it and to harmonise the standards for its use within the Caricom Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ).
Specification for poultry feed and feed ingredients” was revised by the
livestock sub-committee and the Technical Committee Agriculture. The
specification for nutrient requirements in the rations fed to poultry is
established in this standard along with the general requirements for feed
ingredients; nutrients and supplements; packaging and labelling requirements for
feeds; methods of sampling and analysis and preparation of samples, the GNBS
said. It also provides guidance on “good manufacturing practices” for the
production of poultry feed and applies to the production and use of materials
designed for poultry feed and feed ingredients at all levels whether produced
industrially or on a farm.
Hygiene requirements
The
GNBS also said hygiene requirements and principles, special conditions
applicable to emergency situations which may influence the production process,
inspection and control procedures, health hazards associated with animal feed,
feed additives and veterinary drugs used in medicated feed, safety conditions
for storing feed and feed ingredients and control measures to minimise the risks
associated with undesirable substances in feed and feed ingredients were
included in the standard.
Storage and
transportation
The standard also advised that feed should not be
stored or transported near substances such as chemical fertilizers and
pesticides. It also addressed procedures pertaining to sanitation and pest
control measures, equipment performance and maintenance, manufacturing controls
to avoid contamination and record keeping with regard to recalls. It also gives
guidance on cultivation, manufacture, management and use of feed on the farm to
help ensure the safety of food for human consumption and steps to keep
contaminants such as fungi, bacteria and other microbial pathogens, broken
needles and machinery and other harmful matter away from feed and feed
ingredients.
Mandatory
The standard also
advises farmers and other stakeholders on selecting suitable sites, choice
fertilizers, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, mixing techniques,
record keeping and monitoring water and good animal feeding practices. The GNBS
said the standard will be made mandatory and it is conducting feed tests to
ensure that the feeds comply with nutrient requirements as has been set out.
Related website:
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards
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