Transport Quality Assurance™ Program
Transport Quality Assurance™ is a program developed by the National Pork Board to educate swine transporters, producers and handlers on the proper handling, moving and transporting of pigs and the potential impacts of those actions on pig well-being and/or pork quality. Indiana Packers Corporation is proud to take a proactive position regarding animal well-being and, as such, requires that all persons transporting swine to our facility receive TQA™ certification.
The TQA™ Program was written to educate drivers and the producers who haul hogs to packing plants. The overall purpose of the program is to improve the quality of pork products through better handling and transportation.
- Drivers are an important part of America’s pork producing industry and play a key role in providing healthy, safe and nutritious pork products to consumers.
- Both their knowledge and actions with the proper handling and transportation of the animals directly affects the prosperity of the industry as well as the quality of the food we put on the dinner table.
- The drivers are not just hauling hogs; they are helping to deliver quality food.
Program Overview
This program is a good opportunity to share valuable information and insight about handling, loading, unloading and transporting hogs to the plant. The program also addresses animal welfare and bio-security measures that help transport hogs more easily, eliminate contamination and consequently ensure that quality standards are followed and maintained through the transportation process.
The TQA™ program utilizes:
- Instruction;
- Group Discussions;
- Videos; and
- Written tests (required for certification).
Topics of Discussion
Animal Handling
Basic Pig Behavior
People/Pig Interactions
Handling Pigs of Various Types and Sizes
Group Sizes
Handling Tools/Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Loading and Unloading
Planning
Loading and Unloading Pigs of Various Sizes
Tranportation
Transport Space Recommendations
Weather Conditions
Scheduling
Stopping
Checklist
Fitness of Pig
Fitness to Transport
Health Concerns
Managing Ill, Injured, or Fatigued Pigs
Biosecurity
The Biosecurity Mindset
Basic Guidelines for Sanitation, Disinfection, Drying and Downtime
Emergency Response Plan
Transporters Responsibilities in an Emergency
Emergency Plans for Delays
Accidents
Emergency Contact Sheet Example
Laws and Regulations
Transportation of Animals – 28 Hour Law
Humane Slaughter of Livestock Act
Harvest Plant Audits
Tranporters
Attitude
General Rules and Responsibilities for Transporters
For more information or questions regarding the TQA Program, contact our program representative at Indiana Packers Corporation at the following toll free number: (800) 472-7201.
The TQA program™ is run in conjunction with the National Pork Board, P.O. Box 9114, Des Moines, IA 50306. Phone (515) 223-2600.