A new initiative, We Care, has been launched to demonstrate that US producers remain accountable to established ethical principles and animal well-being practices amid changing pork production in the country over the years.

We Care is a joint effort of the Pork Checkoff, through the National Pork Board, and the National Pork Producers Council.  It acknowledges the commitment of pork producer on six fronts: to produce safe food; to protect and promote animal well-being; ensure practices to protect public health; safeguard natural resources;  provide a safe work environment; and contribute to a better quality of life in their communities.

The pork industry already offers numerous programmes, including Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA), to support animal well-being and maintain a safe, high-quality supply of pork.

The industry's Pork Quality Assurance Plus programme identifies best practices in food safety and animal care.  It was originally introduced in 1989 and has become the quality assurance model for other industries and abroad.  The programme is continually improved to include new science-based practices and address the consumer's requests.

As today's marketplace holds businesses and industries to higher standards and responsible act, certification programmes like Pork Quality Assurance Plus and Transport Quality Assurance work to regain trust of the consumers and market chain.