Toward a Common Swine Industry Audit Steven J. Moeller The author appreciates and acknowledges the use of materials from the National Pork Board and Extension Collaborators
Image & Perception of Food Animal Production Perception of animal welfare can directly impacts consumer s purchasing decisions. Meat is the product of a terminal process Opposing organizations are well funded, aggressive, and very skilled in their use of media and persuasion. 2
How Did We Get Here? We Care: Ethical Principles: Produce safe food Protect and promote animal well being Ensure practices to protect public health Safeguard natural resources Provide a work environment that is safe Contribute to a better quality of life in our communities
Ethical Responsibility for Well Being Every caretaker has an ethical responsibility to protect and promote the well being of the pigs in his or her care by: Providing feed, water and an environment that promotes the well being of our animals. Providing proper care, handling and transportation for pigs at each stage of life. Protecting pig health and providing appropriate treatment, including veterinary care when needed. Using approved practices to euthanize, in a timely manner, those sick or injured pigs that fail to respond to care and treatment. 4
How has the Industry Progressed? Versions 1.0 and 2. Transport Quality Assurance (V5.0)
Swine Welfare Assurance Program A Program of America s Pork Producers SWAP Care and Well-being Principles CWP 1 CWP 2 CWP 3 CWP 4 CWP 5 CWP 6 CWP 7 CWP 8 CWP 9 Herd Health and Nutrition Caretaker Training Animal Observation Body Condition Score Euthanasia Handling and Movement Facilities Emergency Support Continuing Assessment and Education Records Animal Observations Facilities
National Pork Industry Forum 2013 Resolution charging NPB to explore a credible, affordable solution to assure on-farm animal well-being. Industry Audit Task Force Initiated Producers, Veterinarians, Packers, Retail & Food Service, Animal Scientists World Pork Expo June 14 Common Industry Audit Announced Key Component This is not an NPB program. Rather its development has been fostered by NPB pulling the group together 7
Incorporates Scientific Evidence, Ethics, and Economics - seeking a balance to remain sustainable Standardized Audit Platform Meet Individual Company and Customer Needs Outcome-based criteria related to Pig Welfare = identify and measure key areas Clarity to producers regarding the standards and expectations = defines a single approach Minimize duplication and prevent oversampling = statistical approach that is consistent Ensure greater integrity of the audit process = True Third-party assessment 8
Objectives Point-in-time snapshot by an independent party NO Educational Component Verification that the pork industry s approved animal well-being standards are followed Focal Areas Records Animals Facilities Caretakers 9
Animal Welfare: CRITICAL Will-full Acts of Abuse Timely Euthanasia Proper Handling During Euthanasia Suitability of equipment, handling tools, & movement tools, to perform Humane Euthanasia Confirmation of insensibility and death 10
Animal Welfare: ANIMAL BENCHMARKING Handling Observation by Auditor, Proper Tools for Age, Prod Use, etc. Space Allocation all phases Body Condition Scoring identified and documented Lameness Severe, identified and documented Abscesses, Shoulder Sores, Deep Wounds, Tail Bites, Prolapses, Scratches, Hernias identified and documented Standard Operating Procedures IN-PLACE 11
Records FDA Compliance Policy Guide (CPG 7125.37) Minimum expectations of medical records, per FDA guidance Suggested medical records with additional information 12
Animal Welfare: CARETAKER Articulate their responsibilities Interview Caretakers Standard Operating Procedures IN-PLACE and ARE the caretakers FOLLOWING THEM 13
Animal Welfare: FACILITY Emergency Action Plan, Euthanasia Plan and Equipment Gating, Flooring, Alleys, Chutes, Feeders, Water Ammonia Temperature and Space Standard Operating Procedures IN-PLACE 14
Animal Welfare: RECORDS IF IT IS NOT WRITTEN DOWN IT DID NOT HAPPEN SOPs DRIVEN Daily Observation, Emergency Action Plan, Euthanasia, Willful Acts of Abuse, PQA PLUS, TQA, Treatment, Processing, Loading, Handling, Caretaker Training, Mortality Records, Ammonia MAKE SURE SOPs ARE IN-PLACE & UNDERSTOOD 15
Animal Welfare: TRANSPORT & LOADOUT Observation of Handling & Loading Slips and Falls, Electric Prod Use& Placement Loading suspect animals (severe lameness, injury, etc.) Condition of Trailer, Chute, Alley Appropriate Bedding & Set-up for weather conditions Density of Loads MAKE SURE SOPs ARE IN-PLACE & UNDERSTOOD 16
Animal Welfare: FOOD SAFTY PQA Plus Focal Areas Verification that PQA Plus is being followed 17
Audit Scoring - ~90 Items scored/rated Scores Applied in Each Area CRITICAL PASS/FAIL ANIMAL BENCHMARKING~ 52% of points CARETAKER ~ 8% FACILITIES ~ 10% RECORD ~ 7% TRANSPORT/LOADOUT ~ 18% 18
Take Home Messages Preparation at the farm level is critical Resources are available National Pork Board offers templates for nearly all scenarios - don t reinvent the wheel Pork.org Change is necessary a requisite for doing business Take change by the hand or it will take you by the throat. --- Winston Churchill 19
The End I will take any Questions 20