Introduction
Youth Pork Quality Assurance PlusTM
A Program for Youth Pork Producers
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
Introduction
2
Why Pork Quality Assurance?
• Youth PQA PlusTM is composed of two main
elements:
– Food Safety
– Animal Well-being
Introduction
3
Packer Requirements
• Many packers require Youth PQA Plus
certification
• County fairs, state fairs and other livestock
shows may also require Youth PQA Plus
certification
Introduction
4
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
Introduction
5
Food Safety
• Pork producers’ projects enter the food chain
Producers’ Decisions = Food Safety
Introduction
6
Food Safety
• Food Supply Continuum
Introduction
7
Food Safety
Introduction
8
I
Animal 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
Introduction
9
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
Introduction
10
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
Introduction
11
Youth Pork Quality Assurance
Plus Program
Good Production
Practice #1
“Establish and implement an
efficient and effective herd
health management plan.”
Introduction
12
Youth Pork Quality Assurance
Plus Program
Good Production
Practice #2
“Use a veterinarian/client/patient
relationship as the basis for
medication decision-making.”
Good Production
Practice #3
“Use antibiotics responsibly.”
Introduction
13
Youth Pork Quality Assurance
Plus Program
Good Production Practice #4
“Identify and track all treated animals.”
Good Production Practice #5
“Maintain medication and treatment records.”
Introduction
14
Youth Pork Quality Assurance
Plus Program
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.”
Introduction
15
Youth Pork Quality Assurance
Plus Program
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.”
Introduction
16
Youth Pork Quality Assurance
Plus Program
Good Production Practice #10
“Provide proper swine care to improve
swine well-being.”
Introduction
17
Take-Home Message
• You are responsible for providing a safe,
wholesome product for consumers
Introduction
18
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 wellbeing.
Introduction
19
Youth Pork Quality Assurance Plus
Introduction
20