Assurance Scheme
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Pig farms that are members of pig assurance schemes account for 92% of total pig meat production in Britain.
Such schemes are voluntary and farmers elect to join them. They pay an annual membership fee and are required to observe the relevant scheme’s standards.
The two principle schemes are Assured British Pigs and Genesis Quality Assurance. Both schemes operate the same standards and are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. Farmers are inspected by a veterinary surgeon every three months and receive an annual check by an independent inspector.
These two assurance schemes contain standards that often exceed legal minimum requirements in these areas of for both indoor and outdoor systems:
- Pig care
- Accommodation
- Stocking rates and space allowances
- Feed
- Water
- Transport
- Medication storage, record keeping, administration and residue levels
- Pig Identification
- Traceability
- Food Safety
In addition to these two schemes pig assurance schemes other schemes relating to specific supply chains exist, these include the following:
These schemes contain specific additional standards to those contained in the Assured British Pigs and Genesis standards but are broadly similar in approach.
For pig meat to carry the Quality Standard Mark, the product must not only have come from an assured pig farm but also must comply with five different assurance schemes which ensure 'whole chain' assurance. These are:
This gives a product carrying the Quality Standard Mark whole chain assurance rather than just farm assurance.