California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) released details on the on-site inspection requirements for a pork producer obtaining a third-party certification according to Proposition 12 on Sept. 26.

To become certified for Proposition 12, CDFA or another certifying agent must conduct an initial on-site inspection of each production unit, facility and site that produces or distributes covered animals or covered products that is included in an operation for which certification is requested. For a pork producer, CDFA or another certifying agent will conduct an initial on-site inspection of a pork producer’s facility where breeding pigs covered under the certification request are kept. An on-site inspection must be conducted at least once every 12 months after this point for the purpose of determining whether certification of the pork producer operation should continue, CDFA explains.

The initial on-site inspection will be conducted within three months following a determination that the pork producer applicant appears to comply or may be able to comply with Animal Confinement regulations. A list of certifying agents is on the Animal Care Program Certifying Agents website for the pork producer to choose from.

What to Expect During an On-Site Inspection

All on-site inspections must be conducted when an authorized representative of the pork producer operation who is knowledgeable about the operation is present, can access operation records, and at a time when facilities and activities that demonstrate the pork producer’s compliance with or capability to comply can be observed, CDFA says.

The on-site inspection of a pork producer operation will verify:

• The pork producer’s compliance or capability to comply with the requirements.
• The information provided on the application for certification accurately reflects the practices used by the pork producer.

The on-site inspection will cover:

1. General Information

• The pork producer must allow access by CDFA or another certifying agent to areas of the production operation for which certification is requested including pastures, fields, structures, and houses where breeding pigs may be kept, produced, processed, handled, stored or transported, including the inspection of all enclosures of breeding pigs.
• The pork producer must allow access by CDFA or another certifying agent to operation offices during normal business hours for review and copying of required records.
• If a split operation, CDFA or another certifying agent will verify the management practices, physical barriers, and standard operating procedures established to prevent commingling of compliant breeding pigs and their immediate offspring with noncompliant breeding pigs and their immediate offspring.

2. Recordkeeping

• Records are required to be available for not less than two (2) years beyond their creation.
• Records show the size of the farm.
• Records show the quantity of breeding pigs produced or processed from each facility or farm unit in the certified operation.
• Records show the number of breeding pig enclosures for each facility or farm unit, the size and usable floorspace of each enclosure.
• Records show the quantity of breeding pigs in inventory, number of breeding pigs kept in each enclosure and the dates of stocking, harvest, and production.
• Records show the breeding pigs transactions.
• Records pertaining to the production, processing, handling, packaging, storage, transportation, or sale of breeding pigs, sold, intended for sale in California or identified or represented as compliant with requirements.
• Records must be maintained in sufficient detail to document that breeding pigs were confined in compliance with requirements as detailed below in “3. Confinement.”

• If the operation is a split operation, records must sufficiently demonstrate the identification, segregation, distribution, and handling of compliant breeding pigs and their immediate offspring to prevent commingling with any noncompliant breeding pigs and their immediate offspring.
• If breeding pigs are kept in noncompliant enclosures for animal husbandry purposes, then records must be maintained by a pork producer in sufficient detail to document that
  breeding pigs are not kept in noncompliant enclosures for longer than six hours in any 24-hour period, and no more than 24 hours total in any 30-day period.
• If breeding pigs are kept in noncompliant enclosures for individual treatment, then records must be maintained by a pork producer in sufficient detail to document individual treatment records for the breeding pigs, under direction of the herd veterinarian with a current Veterinary-ClientPatient-Relationship (VCPR).
• If breeding pigs are kept in noncompliant enclosures for farrowing, then records must be maintained by a pork producer documenting that breeding pigs are kept in noncompliant enclosures no longer than five days prior to expected date of giving birth and while nursing piglets.
  

3. Confinement

• All enclosures allow breeding pigs to lie down, stand up, fully extend limbs, and turn around freely.
• All enclosures provide a minimum of 24 square feet of usable floorspace per breeding pig.

4. Exit Interview

• The certifying agent will conduct an exit interview with an authorized representative of the pork producer operation who is knowledgeable about the inspected operation to confirm the accuracy and completeness of inspection observations and information gathered during the on-site inspection. The certifying agent will also address the need for any additional information as well as any issues of concern.

Read more:

Prop 12: Compliance is Your Choice, Ross Says

Prop 12 Fallout: Pork Producers Face Multi-Million Dollar Compliance Costs