Animal Well-Being
We are committed to the highest level of care and well-being for the pigs we raise.
Caring for Pigs
Healthy pigs have always been the top priority for pork producers.
Goal
Pork producers prioritize end-to-end certification that is fully transparent using the following programs for this purpose:1
✓ Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus®) worker certifications
✓ Transport Quality Assurance® (TQA®) worker certifications
✓ PQA Plus® Site Assessments
✓ Common Swine Industry Audit
✓ Pork Cares Farm Impact Report
Target
→ Percentage of pigs reported produced per year at a location that participates in the end-to-end certification programs.1
1. National Pork Board. NPB Announces Pork Industry Sustainability Goals and Targets. 17 Feb. 2022.
2. U.S. Pork Producers. We Care Dashboard. Built and maintained by We Write Code. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.
Measuring Our Progress
2022 Results
554 Hog Sites
3.3 million swine
96%
Pigs cared for by employees who are PQA Plus® certified2
95%
Pigs produced annually from locations that participate in PQA Plus® Site Assessments2
74%
Pigs handled and transported by individuals who are certified in TQA®2
Certified Compliance with ISO Animal Welfare Standards
PQA Plus® 5.0, PQA Plus® site assessment and TQA® 8.0 are USDA-certified to meet ISO standards, ensuring global compliance with animal care practices.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), an independent, standards-setting body, works with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to help farmers and welfare programs determine how to implement species-specific welfare standards.
Animal Well-being + UN SDGs
Our commitment to animal well-being aligns with two of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
By setting and exceeding our own high standards—especially in areas like pig care—we aim to lead by example and foster meaningful change.
Advancing Pork Sustainability
The pork industry’s approach to sustainability is rooted in the We Care® principles and aligned sustainability goals. Grounded in a One Health approach, we seek to balance and optimize the health of pigs, people and the planet.
For pig farmers, sustainability isn’t a new idea—it’s a way of life. Explore our six key commitments and how we work to make pork a more sustainable protein.
