Cargill to Require PQA Plus Certification

January 16, 2008 — 

According to a letter sent to its suppliers, Cargill Meat Solutions will begin requiring all hogs processed at its facilities to be purchased from PQA Plus certified suppliers.

On June 6th 2007 the National Pork Board launched PQA Plus. This merged the food safety elements of PQA level III with the animal welfare elements of the Swine Welfare Assurance Program (SWAP) creating a credible, workable and affordable system to manage operate and assess a production facility. PQA Plus is comprised of three separate components; certification for the producer, site status assessment for farm sites, and potential for an audit component. By completing the PQA Plus program, producers demonstrate their commitment to the industry to ensure "quality assured" pork production management and handling prior to the processing plant.

Cargill's policy will require that producers and site managers be PQA Plus certified but will not require site assessments at this time. The company notes that certification sessions will be held later this winter and early spring and are being coordinated between Cargill, University Extension Services, Veterinarians and Trained PQA Plus Advisors.