May 17, 2007

Trichinae certification program proposed for US pork

The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is recommending a voluntary trichinae certification program for US pork to ensure American producers regulate their protocols and offer exports without the heavy testing on every product.

The USDA certification of the Trichinella spiralis-a parasitic disease caused by undercooked or raw pork-will ensure that protection, biosecurity and accurate farm practices are in place at US farms. Though Trichinella spiralis is rare in the United States, markets such as the European Union require strict inspection on fresh pork and its byproducts.

Under the proposal, APHIS would endorse pork production sites that follow good production practices to reduce, eliminate, or avoid the risk of exposure of animals to Trichinella spiralis. Good production practices include feed integrity (such as source of feed and feed storage) and facility construction and condition as it pertains to biosecurity.

The proposed voluntary certification program was developed as a cooperative effort by USDA, the National Pork Board and the pork processing industry.