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1 EDUCATION HANDBOOK(800) 456-7675 | quality assurance program of America s Pork Plus Education Handbook Version 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2018 National Pork Board, Des Moines, IA USA. This message funded by America s Pork Producers and the Pork Checkoff. #00000 3/2018(800) 456-7675 | PQA Plus Version 4 Education HandbookPORK QUALITY ASSURANCE PLUS (PQA PLUS ): BUILDING A STRONGER INDUSTRYB uilding a stronger industry takes everyone to demonstrate that they are doing what s right for people, pigs and planet, by implementing the We CareSM ethical principles and Good Production Practices (GPPs).

2 WE CARE: MAKING OUR INDUSTRY STRONGERR egardless of the business, trust and transparency are essential to maintaining appeal to channel partners (retail and foodservice) as well as consumers. This has never been more challenging or necessary for the pork industry, as the general public and pork consumer want to know how their food is We CareSM initiative addresses consumer concerns and communicates that the industry is responsible and aware of what pigs need. The We Care initiative encourages continuous improvement in the pork industry s production practices and promotes a strong record of responsible farming to those outside the industry.

3 At the heart of this commitment is a strong code of ethics, which asks each and every producer to make the following commitments:FOOD SAFETY: We affirm our obligation to produce safe WELL-BEING: We affirm our obligation to protect and promote animal HEALTH: We affirm our obligation to ensure our practices protect public SAFETY: We affirm our obligation to provide a work environment that is safe and consistent with our other ethical : We affirm our obligation to safeguard natural resources in all of our : We affirm our obligation to contribute to a better quality of life in our communities. TABLE OF CONTENTSFood Safety 3 Animal Well-Being 23 Public Health 45 Workplace Safety 55 Environment 63 Community 69 Glossary of Terms.

4 Pork Checkoff/Industry Resources and Forms 74 FSAWPHWSEC2 PQA Plus Version 4 Education HandbookAlong with the Pork Quality Assurance Plus program, the pork industry offers the Transport Quality Assurance (TQA ), to support animal well-being and maintain a safe, high-quality supply of pork. The We Care initiative ties everything together to help the public view the pork industry as a self-regulated business that earns the trust of others. The PQA Plus ProgramPork producers and others throughout the pork supply chain have consistently demonstrated an industry-wide commitment to improvement.

5 That commitment has helped generations of consumers develop confidence in the pork industry. PQA Plus delivers improved production practices based on the latest scientific research to producers and caretakers, providing them with the tools and information which will feed their drive for continuous improvement. PQA Plus has two distinct components1. Certification Individual producer PQA Plus certification, which is earned through participation in an education program administered by a certified PQA Plus Advisor through face-to-face or online Assessment PQA Plus site status, which is earned after an on-farm site assessment and producer receipt of the PQA Plus Plus trainings are driven by the We Care Ethical Principles and incorporate GPPs as they align with each principle.

6 GPPs are defined as practices essential to demonstrating the We Care Ethical Principles. When implemented, GPPs will help ensure pork is free from chemical and physical hazards; that the pigs are raised in a caring, humane manner; that our natural resources are protected by pork producers; and that caretakers have a safe place to work. These 10 practices are based on: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles (HACCP). HACCP principles are the standard for controlling hazards in foods produced and processed in the United States and many foreign countries. The Food and Drug Administration s Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) Proper Drug Use and Residue Avoidance by Non-veterinarians.

7 The Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) of 1994. Science-based animal care and well-being guidelines. Good Environmental Livestock Production Practices (GELPPs) set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Occupational Safety and Health standards including Agriculture (29 CFR 1928), General Industry (29 CFR 1910), and the General Duty Clause a valid pre-harvest traceability system that is in compliance with Federal and State laws PQA Plus HandbookThis handbook is a comprehensive resource detailing good production and management practices and guidelines of the Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program.

8 This is an educational handbook for all parties involved in the production of pigs. The PQA Plus certification training is geared towards the caretaker and handler, so this handbook should be utilized to further explore the high-level topics covered in that training program. Although everyone involved in the pork operation is responsible for being knowledgeable on and implementing each GPP, there are instances throughout the handbook where specific roles are defined. These roles include: Pork producer and producer refers to everyone involved in the pork operation on the farm, including the operation management and caretakers.

9 Management refers to the owner or decision-maker for the facility or pork operation. Caretaker and handler refers to those individuals responsible for the day-to-day care and handling of the pigs. Transporter refers to those individuals responsible for the movement and transport of pigs. At the beginning of each chapter, a list of Good Production Practices and a list of records pertaining to the chapter can be found. The Good Production Practices will also be found within each chapter and identified by the symbol above. If templates of the records listed for each chapter are available, they will be located in the resources and forms section of the handbook and available through the National Pork Board at 3 PQA Plus Version 4 Education HandbookFSFOOD SAFETYU nited States pork producers promise to PRODUCE SAFE PQA Plus Version 4 Education Handbook FOOD SAFETY GOOD PRODUCTION PRACTICES Establish and maintain a herd health management plan Correctly store and administer animal health products Maintain medication records including withdrawal times Follow proper feed processing and feed biosecurity protocols Use a VCPR as the basis for medication

10 Decision-makingFSFOOD SAFETYFOOD SAFETY RECORDKEEPING Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship Confirmation of No Medications Administered Individual Treatment Record Pen/Individual Treatment Record Farm Medication Plan Vaccination Management for Breeding and Non-Breeding Medicated Feed Mixing Biosecurity Checklist Visitor Log Needle Inventory Drug Storage Record Inventory Sheet5 PQA Plus Version 4 Education HandbookProviding safe, wholesome food is the producer s most important responsibility. Ensuring food safety is a complex undertaking that requires awareness of the role that everyone plays in the food chain.