Introduction

Youth Pork Quality Assurance PlusTM

A Program for Youth Pork Producers

2Introduction

Pork Quality Assurance

• PQA® - Voluntary educational program started in 1989, it helps to:– Prevent violative drug residues

– Increase food safety awareness

– Increase awareness of proper animal care

3Introduction

Why Pork Quality Assurance?

• Youth PQA PlusTM is composed of two main elements:

– Food Safety– Animal Well-being

4Introduction

Packer Requirements

• Many packers require Youth PQA Plus certification

• County fairs, state fairs and other livestock shows may also require Youth PQA Plus certification

5Introduction

Today, residue levels are lower than ever

• Youth PQA Plus provides a way to help:– Educate producers about drug

residues– Ensure the wholesomeness of pork

and pork products– Promote consumer confidence in

pig well-being

6Introduction

Food Safety

• Pork producers’ projects enter the food chain

Producers’ Decisions = Food Safety

7Introduction

Food Safety

• Food Supply Continuum

8Introduction

Food Safety

9Introduction

IAnimal Well-being

• Pork producers have a responsibility to:

– Provide appropriate conditions so that pigs are healthy and in good physical condition

– Maintain and promote the pork industry tradition of responsible animal care through good animal care practices

10Introduction

HACCP and Food Safety

Hazard

Analysis and

Critical

Control

Points

• A system used in meat packing plants to help prevent food safety problems

• Regulated by the USDA - FSIS

11Introduction

Hazards

Three Main Hazard Categories: • Chemical

– Chemical residues in tissue including antimicrobials

• Biological– A virus, bacteria, protozoa, mold or parasite that

could cause foodborne illness

• Physical– Broken needles or metal

12Introduction

Youth Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program

Good Production Practice #1

“Establish and implement an efficient and effective herd health management plan.”

13Introduction

Good Production Practice #2

“Use a veterinarian/client/patient relationship as the basis for

medication decision-making.”

Good Production Practice #3

“Use antibiotics responsibly.”

Youth Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program

14Introduction

Good Production Practice #4“Identify and track all treated animals.”

Good Production Practice #5“Maintain medication and treatment records.”

Youth Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program

15Introduction

Good Production Practice #6“Properly store, label and account for all drug

products and medicated feeds.”

Good Production Practice #7“Educate all animal caretakers on proper

administration techniques, needle-use procedures, observance of withdrawal times and methods to avoid marketing adulterated

products for human food.”

Youth Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program

16Introduction

Good Production Practice #8“Follow appropriate on-farm feed

processing and commercial feed processor procedures.”

Good Production Practice #9“Develop, implement and document an

animal caretaker training program.”

Youth Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program

17Introduction

Good Production Practice #10“Provide proper swine care to improve

swine well-being.”

Youth Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program

18Introduction

Take-Home Message

• You are responsible for providing a safe, wholesome product for consumers

19Introduction

Summary

• Your role in the food supply continuum is to provide safe food by producing pork free from violative residues and other hazards and do so in a manner that promotes good animal well-being.

20Introduction

Youth Pork Quality Assurance Plus