Facility block diagram rules for non-GM and aquaculture farms

What the requirement is, and why it exists

Under the GLOBALG.A.P. Non-GM Add-on Standard Module 2 Farm/Producer Version 1.1 and Integrated Farm Assurance version 6 for Aquaculture, producers must maintain comprehensive site documentation. Control Point NON-GM FARM 1.1 mandates that livestock and aquaculture producers prepare a detailed production facility description. This description must map all animal feeding processes and identify potential intake points where genetically modified feed materials could enter the farm system.

The primary rationale for facility block diagrams is preventing accidental cross-contamination and unrecorded feed mixing. When agricultural sites manage both genetically modified and non-genetically modified feeds, or host species with differing certification statuses, physical boundaries can blur. Establishing visual spatial maps enables producers, workers, and external auditors to trace every feed movement from initial delivery to animal consumption.

Compliance leads and internal auditors must recognize that Control Point NON-GM FARM 1.1 and Criteria AQ 01.01.01 are classified as Major Must requirements. Failure to produce a complete facility block diagram when handling genetically modified feed results in an immediate audit non-conformance. Proactive facility mapping provides the structural baseline required for all downstream risk assessments and segregation procedures.

Mapping rules for GM feed handling and species allocation

Control Point NON-GM FARM 1.1 sets explicit trigger conditions for drawing up a formal facility block diagram or sketch. A diagram is obligatory whenever genetically modified feed is produced, stored, processed, or fed anywhere on the farm site. The diagram must pinpoint all livestock or aquaculture premises, clearly stating their holding capacities and the specific species housed within each unit.

Spatial allocation rules apply when multiple animal categories or species reside on the same production site with differing non-GM statuses. Control Point NON-GM FARM 1.1 requires that non-GM species be explicitly defined and allocated in the facility description by individual house, building, or aquatic pond. This clear allocation ensures that non-GM animals are physically separated from units receiving conventional or genetically modified feed rations.

Integrating farm maps under Integrated Farm Assurance Aquaculture

For aquaculture producers, Criteria AQ 01.01.01 establishes complementary mapping requirements that align with non-GM facility rules. Aquaculture facilities must maintain a visual reference system comprising physical farm signs and a detailed farm map. The farm map must display water abstraction sources, water storage reservoirs, postharvest handling units, chemical stores, and primary entry or exit points. To establish a fully compliant facility description, quality leads must follow a structured five-step diagram development procedure:

• Conduct a physical perimeter walk-through covering all primary farmstead buildings, remote storage sheds, and off-site feed preparation units.
• Draft a spatial block diagram marking all animal housing units, holding capacities, aquatic ponds, and assigned species groups.
• Map every feed storage silo, mixing installation, grinding machine, tool storage area, and feeding distribution line.
• Highlight all potential intake points where genetically modified feed materials or unverified inputs could enter the facility.
• Review and update the diagram annually or immediately whenever structural modifications, new storage facilities, or species changes occur.

Example

During an annual audit of an Option 1 multisite bull fattening and tilapia farm, the certification body auditor inspected the central feed store and mixing shed. The farm stored both certified non-GM soy meal and conventional compound feed containing genetically modified maize for a non-certified cattle herd. While the farm maintained written feeding instructions, management had not drawn up a facility block diagram showing the remote storage shed where conventional feed was kept. The auditor issued a Major Must non-conformance under Control Point NON-GM FARM 1.1 for incomplete facility mapping.

To resolve the non-conformance, the quality manager surveyed all farmstead premises and remote buildings. The manager created a comprehensive facility block diagram illustrating housing units, holding capacities, feed silos, and off-site stores. The updated diagram was submitted to the certification body alongside revised risk assessment records, successfully closing the non-conformance.

Before your audit

• Confirm that a written facility description describing all animal feeding processes is available under Control Point NON-GM FARM 1.1.
• Verify that a spatial block diagram or sketch is drawn up if genetically modified feed is stored, processed, or used on site.
• Ensure the facility block diagram explicitly labels all livestock houses, aquatic ponds, holding capacities, and housed species.
• Check that all off-farmstead feed storage areas, remote mixing plants, and equipment sheds are depicted on the diagram.
• Confirm that non-GM species are allocated to specific individual houses or ponds when different GM statuses exist on site.
• Review the organizational diagram under Control Point NON-GM FARM 1.2 to ensure non-GM feeding responsibilities and proxies are current.
• Verify that physical farm signs and site maps displaying water sources and facilities are in place under Criteria AQ 01.01.01.
• Check that geographical GPS coordinates in WGS-84 format are recorded for all operational production sites under Criteria AQ 02.04.

Questions people ask

When is a facility block diagram mandatory under the Non-GM Add-on?

Control Point NON-GM FARM 1.1 mandates a facility block diagram or sketch whenever genetically modified feed is produced, stored, processed, or fed on the production site. If a farm exclusively uses non-GM feed and holds no GM feed, a detailed written facility description remains required, but a formal block diagram is optional unless multiple species with differing statuses are kept.

What specific elements must be included on a Non-GM facility block diagram?

Under Control Point NON-GM FARM 1.1, the diagram must point out all livestock and aquaculture premises, holding capacities, species kept, feed storage areas, feed production facilities, mixing equipment, tool storage, and feeding installations. It must also include all remote facilities not located directly at the main farmstead.

How must non-GM species be identified if conventional animals are on the same site?

Control Point NON-GM FARM 1.1 requires that when species or animal categories with different GM and non-GM statuses are kept on the same site, the non-GM species must be explicitly defined and allocated in the facility description by individual house or pond.

What mapping details are required for aquaculture farms under IFA version 6?

Criteria AQ 01.01.01 requires visual site identification comprising physical signs and a farm map. The map must locate water sources, storage and handling facilities, production units, and entry and exit points, and must cross-reference with the farm's internal site reference system.

Reference documents

• GLOBALG.A.P. Non-GM Add-on Standard Module 2: Farm/Producer, v1.1_Jan20, Section NON-GM FARM 1, Section NON-GM FARM 2
• GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance Smart/GFS - principles and criteria for aquaculture, v6.0_Mar23, Section AQ 01, Section AQ 02