Pork 360 standards

Pork 360 Standards are set in consultation with qualified auditors and with consideration for the South African setting.

Each of these objectives aims to ensure that the same consistent quality pork is produced to meet consumer expectations.

The main aim of the Pork 360 Farm Standard is to ensure the production of high-quality pork on welfare-friendly farms, with good biosecurity, environmental stewardship, and minimal antimicrobial usage. To achieve this, there are 12 objectives in the Pork 360 Farm Standard, namely:

On-farm administration

Access control

Employee facilities and management

Pest control

Feed quality and feeding

Housing requirements

Animal management and care

Sanitary and hygiene requirements

Medication and vaccine management

Waste management

Animal transport

Maintenance of equipment and measuring and monitoring on-farm

All these objectives ensure a consistent production system that supplies healthy and traceable pigs produced under good animal welfare practices to the abattoir.

Pork 360 farms standards

The main aim of the Pork 360 Feed Mill Standard is to ensure that optimum feed manufacturing, processing, and storage practices are implemented at maintained at all times. This standard focuses on the following eight objectives:

Administration

Access control

Employee facilities and management

Pest control

Feed quality and feeding

Buildings

Waste management

Maintenance and calibration of measuring equipment

The main aim of the Pork 360 Abattoir Standard is to ensure a hygienic, traceable product and that the welfare of pigs at the abattoir is not compromised. This standard consists of five main objectives, including:

Administration

Biosecurity

Pre-slaughter management

Carcass assurance

Slaughter management

Pre-slaughter management includes aspects like supplier verification (suppliers need to be Pork 360-certified farmers), as well as traceability, transportation, and off-loading requirements.

Some of the aims of the Pork 360 Processor Standard are similar to the Pork 360 Abattoir Standard, such as hygiene and traceability, while additional focus is directed at the preservation of products after manufacture. The Pork 360 Processing Standard has five objectives, including requirements regarding the processor’s administration system, compliance with the appropriate food safety management systems, and product traceability. Other certifications of the facility are taken into consideration, with the emphasis placed only on Pork 360 objectives.

Certification process

After application, the Pork 360 administration will guide the applicant through the requirements. On farms and associated feed mills, an internal audit should be performed by the farm’s consulting veterinarian. At abattoirs and processors, the Pork 360 veterinarian can assist with implementation of standards prior to the audit. If the facility is deemed appropriately prepared, then the Pork 360 administration will select a qualified, independent auditor to perform the accreditation audit.

The auditor will perform the certification audit. Non-conformances will be documented and the communicated to Pork 360 administration. Corrective actions must be completed within the stipulated timeframe and approval will be based on a documented protocol with due consideration for practical application. Pork 360 administration will issue a certificate once all non-conformances have been closed out.

Once certified, the farm/facility will be expected to maintain the standards throughout the year. At farms and feed mills, internal audits will be performed by the consulting veterinarian. At abattoirs and processors, an appointed person will be expected to maintain the standards.