Every day on farms across America pork producers demonstrate their dedication to producing safe, nutritious pork products for a hungry world. We’re proud of the fact that generations of responsible production and commitment to continuous improvement have resulted in the U.S. pork industry producing the highest quality, safest pork in the world.

Producers and others throughout the pork production chain take their roles seriously. No one has more on the line when it comes to responsible and ethical practices than we do. And we believe it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to demonstrate our commitment. 

Many checks are in place, and consistently used, to ensure proper, safe and humane practices. These include federal and state oversight, as well as strict standards promoted heavily by the industry itself. Two programs that best demonstrate producer commitment to best practices are Pork Quality Assurance Plus® (http://www.porkcares.com/action/action2.aspx) and Transport Quality Assurancesm (TQA) (http://www.porkcares.com/action/action3.aspx)

The recent adoption of a statement of ethical principles calls attention to producers’ commitment to responsible practices. With this statement, U.S. pork producers affirm an obligation to:

Produce Safe Food

• Use management practices consistent with producing safe food
• Manage the health of the herd to produce safe food
• Manage technology to produce safe food

Protect and Promote Animal Well-Being

• Provide feed, water and an environment that promotes the well-being of our animals
• Provide proper care, handling and transportation for pigs at each stage of life
• Protect pig health and provide appropriate treatment, including veterinary care when needed
• Use approved practices to euthanize, in a timely manner, those sick or injured pigs that fail to respond to care and treatment

Ensure Practices to Protect Public Health

• Use management practices consistent with producing safe food
• Manage the use of animal health products to protect public health
• Manage manure and air quality to protect public health

Safeguard Natural Resources in All of Our Practices   

• Manage manure as a valuable resource and use in a manner that safeguards air and water quality
• Manage air quality from production facilities to minimize the impact on neighbors and the community
• Manage our operations to protect the quality of natural resources

Provide a Work Environment That is Safe and Consistent With Our Other Ethical Principles

• Provide a work environment that promotes the health and safety of employees
• Educate employees on the Ethical Principles for U.S. Pork Producers and prepare them to meet their obligations consistent with these principles
• Provide a work environment where employees are treated fairly and with respect

Contribute to a Better Quality of Life in Our Communities

• Recognize that being welcomed and appreciated by the community is a privilege that must be earned and maintained
• Acknowledge that our practices affect the trust our community has in pork production and our operations
• Operate in a manner that protects the environment and public health
• Play an active role in helping to build a strong community
• Acknowledge community concerns and address them in an honest and sincere manner