PigCare Audit
PigCare is the New Zeland pork industry's welfare accreditation programme. It is independently administered by AsureQuality. The audit underpins NZ Pork's 100% NZ Pork, Bacon, and Ham labelling. Only products from PigCare accredited farms can carry the labels.
NZPork developed the PigCare audit from the on-farm welfare validation tool developed by Massey University. The tool was developed with the support of MAF and in conjunction with veterinarians and the RNZSPCA. More information about the tool can be found here and a full description of the tool is on the Massey University Pig Welfare site.
The audit documents can be downloaded from the links to the right. Farmers are encouraged to download and use the tool as a routine part of their daily operation. Comments and suggestions for improvement can be sent to NZ Pork.
Welfare Audit Process
- The pig farmer will register with AsureQuality the details of their farm(s), their preferred auditor, and wholesaler(s). An annual registration fee is payable to AsureQuality. AsureQuality will notify the farmer that the registration is complete.
- When an audit is due AsureQuality will notify the farmer and auditor, or alternatively the farmer can contact the auditor themselves to speed up the process.
- The auditor and farmer will agree a date and a fee for the audit.
- The farmer and the auditor will complete an audit. The auditor will send the results to AsureQuality.
- AsureQuality will complete the accreditation process. The farmer will receive a copy of the completed audit and accreditation or corrective action requests as appropriate.
- Before the accreditation expires both the farmer and auditor will be notified that a new audit is due.
The Audit
Audits are undertaken annually (or more frequently if required) and cover the whole farm. PigCare is split in to four modules and a farm is assessed using as many modules as are required to cover farm operations. the modules are:
Auditors assess the farm using the audit tool against standards that allow the auditor to assess the pig population as well as checking the farm against the standards in the Animal Welfare (Pigs) Code of Welfare 2005. Each standard will be assessed against a red, amber, or green "traffic light" system.
- Red is given for failure to achieve the standard
- Amber is given where the current welfare of the pigs is acceptable but issues for improvement have been identified
- Green is given where the standard is fully met
Where a red or amber has been given the farmer and auditor will discuss and agree the actions required to correct the issue. A Corrective Action Request will be issued and a copy retained by the farmer, the auditor, and attached to the audit. The issue will be required to be corrected within a fixed timeframe.
At the completion of the audit, the overall farm status will be apparent.
- Green - the farm has been audited and no corrective actions identified in the audit.
- Yellow - the current welfare of the pigs is acceptable but the audit identified issues for improvement and corrective action requests (CAR) have been issued. The CAR have a fixed time frame for completion, this is usually less than 3 months for minor issues; a maximum of 6 months may be allowed for changes to facilities. The aim is to encourage practical, long term improvements to animal welfare.
- Red - the audit identified non-compliances and CAR have been issued. The CAR identified are considered to be of significant detriment to the welfare of the pigs to warrant withdrawl of PigCare accreditation. Serious welfare issues will be reported to MAF and continue to be handled under the NZ Pork/MAF Memorandum of Understanding.
Auditors’ reports, including any CAR will be sent to AsureQuality for the data to be entered on the database. Copies of the report will be sent back to the farmer and auditor.
Based on the results of the audit and the recommendation of the auditor, AsureQuality will accredit the farm to the PigCare program.
Only pork from PigCare accredited farms can use the 100% NZ Pork, Bacon or Ham labels.