Pig Care Audit

NZPork has developed the Pig Care 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

1. The pig farmer will register with AsureQuality the details of their farm(s), their preferred auditor, and wholesaler(s). Registration will cost $187 excl GST per year. AsureQuality will notify the farmer that the registration is complete.
2. 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.
3. The auditor and farmer will agree a date and a fee for the audit.
4. The farmer and the auditor will complete an audit. The auditor will send the results to AsureQuality.
5. AsureQuality will complete the certification and send the farmer a copy of the completed audit form and certification or corrective action reports as appropriate.
6. The pig farmer will be billed by the auditor for the audit.
7. Before the certificate expires both the farmer and auditor will be notified that a new audit is due.

The Audit

Farms will be examined according to the standards that were set in the Animal Welfare Code (Pigs) 2005.

Each standard will be assessed and signed off according to a red, amber or green “traffic light” system.

• Red is given for outright failure to achieve the standard.
• Green for where the standard is fully met.
• Amber will be given where the standard is not fully met but the auditor is satisfied that animal welfare has not been compromised.

Where a red has been given the farmer and auditor will discuss and agree the actions required to correct the issue. A Corrective Action Report 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 before the farm can pass the audit.

Verification of corrective actions may often require an additional farm visit to confirm compliance or presentation of objective evidence to the auditor that the action has been completed.

Where an amber has been given the farm will be deemed to have passed the audit but the related issues must be addressed before the next scheduled audit.

Auditors’ reports, including any Corrective Action Reports 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.

Farmers will be owners of their audit data and the information will be kept private.

Auditors will have access to the audit reports of the farms they have audited.

Wholesalers will have access to compliance / non-compliance information on farms unless they have negotiated greater access with their farmer suppliers.

NZPork will have access to compliance / non-compliance information at an industry wide level and to summary information held on the database.

A farm that does not comply with any part of the audit cannot use the Welfare Assured label.

A farm that requires corrective action cannot use the Welfare Assured label until the auditor is satisfied that the issue has been resolved.

A wholesaler will discuss corrective action requirements with a farmer if required.

Serious welfare issues will continue to be handled under the Veterinarians’ Code of Practice and the NZ Pork/MAF Memorandum of Understanding.