Business : Maintaining trust in the pork industry

Maintaining Trust in the Pork Industry

By Mark Storlie,

ISU Extension Swine Specialist

Pork producers and the pork industry have been dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the quality of pork production in the United Statesfor decades. A new initiative, We Care, has been launched to demonstrate that producers remain accountable to established ethical principles and animal well-being practices even though pork production has changed over the years.

We Care is a joint effort of the Pork Checkoff, through the National Pork Board, and the National Pork Producers Council. It acknowledges the commitment of pork producer on six fronts: to produce safe food; to protect and promote animal well-being; ensure practices to protect public health; safeguard natural resources; provide a safe work environment; and contribute to a better quality of life in their communities.

The pork industry already offers numerous programs, including Pork Quality Assurance Plus® (PQA Plus®) and Transport Quality Assurance® (TQA), to support animal well-being and maintain a safe, high-quality supply of pork.

The industry’s Pork Quality Assurance Plus program identifies best practices in food safety and animal care. It was originally introduced in 1989 and has become the quality assurance model for other industries and abroad. The program is continually improved to include new science-based practices and address the consumer’s requests.

Today’s marketplace holds businesses and industries to higher standards, looking for them to act responsibly. Consumers want assurances that their suppliers are working toward achieving a greater good. Trust in farmers has eroded as people have lost direct connections to the farm and farm structure changed. Certification programs like Pork Quality Assurance Plus and Transport Quality Assurance demonstrate to the consumer and market chain our commitment to re-gain trust.

No one has more on the line when it comes to responsible and ethical animal production than U.S.pork producers themselves. We Care helps encourage pork producers, enlighten new employees, inform public leaders and educate consumers that pork producers are doing things right.

For additional information about the “WE CARE” program, visit the www.porkcares.com or call 800-456-7675.