DES MOINES, Iowa — Reaffirming their commitment to the U.S. pork industry and its customers, 10,000 pork producers have become certified in PQA Plus. The milestone reflects the industry’s renewed commitment to social responsibility and accountability.
PQA Plus was launched at the World Pork Expo in June 2007.
Goal
“We launched with the goal of having 5,000 PQA Plus-certified individuals by the end of that year,” said Tim Bierman, a producer from Iowa and a member of the National Pork Board.
“We consider it a success that 10,000 producers have become certified.”
The base of PQA Plus Advisers, the individuals responsible for imparting producer education, spans over 28 states and includes over 780 people.
“By becoming PQA Plus certified, packers, processors, restaurants and retailers can have the confidence in the safety of my product and the husbandry practices that I employ as I care for my animals,” Bierman added.
Support
At the recent Pork Industry Forum, pork producers representing 43 states voted in support of PQA Plus by advising the National Pork Board to ask all U.S. pork producers to participate in the program within the next three years.
