Due to extremely low water levels in several European rivers and canals, inland waterway transport is currently experiencing significant disruption. On some routes, the transport of feed materials has been delayed or is no longer possible. Due to the continued drought, water levels are expected to decrease further, and the situation is likely to deteriorate in the coming period.
These circumstances may result in a temporary shortage of sufficient GMP+ assured storage and transport capacity. Consequently, the continuity of the supply of feed materials to GMP+ certified companies may come under pressure.
GMP+ International has been requested by several stakeholders to facilitate a temporary solution for these specific bottlenecks.
Temporary measures
To ensure the availability of suitable storage and road transport capacity and to safeguard the continuity of the supply and storage of feed materials, GMP+ International has decided, in accordance with F0.1 Rights and Obligations, Article 2.4.e, to temporarily allow the use of the following existing Gatekeeper Protocols in the affected areas:
Gatekeeper Protocol for Road Transport (TS1.2 Purchase, Article 4.4.1)
Gatekeeper Protocol for Inland Waterway Transport (TS1.2 Purchase, Article 4.4.2)
Gatekeeper Protocol for Storage and Transhipment (TS1.2 Purchase, Article 4.4.3)
No separate exemption is required for the application of these protocols.
Mandatory notification to the Certification Body and GMP+ International
To make use of this temporary measure, participants are required to inform both GMP+ International and their Certification Body.
The notification must include at least:
a description of the situation;
the transport route(s) concerned;
the affected area or region;
the temporary measure being applied.
GMP+ International can be informed via the contact form or by email at info@gmpplus.org.
The participant must be able to demonstrate that they are experiencing unavoidable disruption because of the low water levels and that the application of this measure is necessary.
In addition, the participant remains responsible for the correct implementation of the applicable Gatekeeper Protocols and must be able to demonstrate proper execution during the next audit.
The information submitted to GMP+ International and the Certification Body will be reviewed by the Certification Body during the next audit.
Explanation
This temporary measure allows GMP+ certified companies in the affected areas to temporarily use non-certified service providers for:
road transport;
inland waterway transport;
storage and transhipment.
When applying the relevant Gatekeeper Protocols, the following conditions apply, among others:
The country list requirement does not apply.
The participant must instruct the contracted non-certified transport or storage company regarding the relevant GMP+ requirements. This must include at least:
cleaning and/or disinfection in accordance with the
maintaining records as part of Tracking & Tracing;
the procedure to be followed when transporting a non-permitted previous load;
adequate hygiene and pest control measures.
Where a prohibited load has been transported, the relevant release procedure for loading compartments after the transport of prohibited loads must be applied before the loading compartment may be released again for the transport of GMP+ assured feed.
For a complete overview of the conditions, please refer to TS1.2 Purchase, Articles 4.4.1, 4.4.2 and 4.4.3.
Effective Immediately
This temporary measure enters into force with immediate effect and will, in principle, remain in force until 31 October 2026.
GMP+ International will continue to monitor the situation closely until that date.
Should circumstances require it, timely communication will be provided regarding a possible extension or termination of this temporary measure.
Given the temporary nature of this arrangement, participants are advised not to enter into long-term contractual commitments with non-certified storage and transport companies.