Enhancement of Animal Well-being Through Commodity Quality Assurance Programs

Abstract

Animal Welfare – Food Safety – Consumer Confidence – these terms represent important concerns in animal agriculture and will be determinants of continued or increased use of animal products in the future. Essentially all animal commodity organizations have implemented quality assurance education programs (QAEPs) designed to maintain or increase food safety, wholesomeness, and quality. QAEPs are generally based on total quality management (TQM) or hazard analysis and critical control points concepts (HACCP). The programs are producer driven and funded; they are designed to reinforce the attitude whereby animal producers accept responsibility as food producers. But QAEPs also enhance animal well-being by necessitating an even greater direct consideration of the animal. Essentially each step in QAEPs, although primarily oriented toward increasing food safety and carcass quality, also positively influences some aspect of animal well-being. The interdisciplinary approach in the formulation and conduct of QAEPs is essential: it involves engineers, nutritionists, animal handling and care specialists, meat scientists, management specialists, and veterinarians. All of the programs are based on increasing the use and effectiveness of the veterinarian/client/patient relationship. Regardless of the depth and breadth of these programs, success will be measured by increased safety, wholesomeness, and quality of the products. There are definite indications in the beef, veal, and swine industries that the programs are being used effectively.