Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 6/4/09

Tyson Foods announced it will ask that all hog suppliers to the company become certified in the Pork Quality Assurance Plus program by June 30, 2010, and complete a site assessment by Jan. 1, 2011.

Tyson made the announcement in support of the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council's "We Care" responsible pork initiative. NPB adopted a resolution at this week's World Pork Expo calling on producers to meet those target dates.

The initiative is aimed at demonstrating that producers are accountable to established ethical principles. These principles include pork producers' responsibility in such areas as the environment, public health, employee care, and community relations. The initiative also involves the PQA Plus program, which provides pork producers with guidelines for enhancing food safety and animal well-being.

PQA Plus is a three-part process that includes attending an educational and training session as well as completing an on-farm site evaluation to achieve PQA Plus site status. The program also includes a third component of random, statistically valid, third-party evaluation of program implementation.

Tyson also said it will donate $10,000 to the NPPC, which will direct the money to a matching fund program with state organizations to help support the on-farm assessments.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.