Contents

Introduction

Part I - Definitions

Accredited Veterinarian - A veterinarian approved by the Administrator of APHIS, USDA, to perform functions required by cooperative State-Federal-Industry animal disease-control and eradication programs.

Animal Disposal Plan - A written document that describes methods for removal of dead swine from the production facility. (see example in Appendix).

Animal Movement Record - A written record of certified animal movement, which includes entry into or exit from a certified site (see example in appendix).

APHIS Administrator - The Administrator of APHIS, USDA, or any other official of APHIS to whom authority has been delegated.

Approved Laboratory - Any laboratory recognized by the APHIS or FSIS Administrator for conducting official tests.

Audit - An inspection process, as defined in these program standards, which generates a written record documenting a production sites compliance with Good Production Practices.

Auditor - A Qualified Accredited Veterinarian or a Qualified state or federal Veterinary Medical Officer .

Certification - A designation given by the APHIS Administrator to a pork production site for compliance with Good Production Practices as defined in these program standards.

Certified Pork - Certified trichinae-safe pork products originating from market swine from a trichinae certified production site with identity maintained through processing.

Certified Production Site - A pork production site which has attained a stage II status or higher as defined in these program standards.

Certified Swine- Swine originating from a certified production site.

De-Certification – Removal of certification status by the APHIS Administrator that results when program criteria are not met.

Feed Manufacturing and Storage Plan - A written plan or other documentation for the site demonstrating methods to exclude rodents and wildlife from feed during manufacturing, mixing, and storage (see example in Appendix).

FSIS Administrator - The Administrator of FSIS, USDA, or any other official of FSIS to whom authority has been delegated.

Good Production Practices - Management practices which negate or reduce the risk of exposure of swine to Trichinella spiralis (Section A, Step II).

Official Test - Any test for the diagnosis of Trichinella spiralis infection in swine which has been approved by the APHIS or FSIS Administrator.

Pest Control Operator - A person trained and licensed in the control of pests and vermin (particularly rodents).

Producer - An individual or entity who owns or controls the management of swine.

Qualified Accredited Veterinarian - AUSDA accredited veterinarian who has been awarded qualification status by the APHIS Administrator.

Qualified VMO - A state or federal VMO who has been awarded qualification status by the APHIS Administrator.

Rodent Control Log Book - A written record which documents the activities of a rodent control program for a production site.(see example in Appendix).

Rodent Control Plan - A written plan to control rodents (mice and rats) on a swine production site.

Site - A geographically definable area that includes pork production facilities and ancillary structures under common ownership and/or management systems and the space within a 100 yard perimeter of the swine feeding areas.

Site audit - An audit, performed by a Qualified Accredited Veterinarian or a Qualified Veterinary Medical Officer, to determine swine trichinae risk factor status of a pork production facility and adherence to Good Production Practices that negate or reduce trichinae infection.

Spot Audit - An audit of a trichinae certified site conducted by a Qualified APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer to ensure program integrity.

Stage 1 - Preliminary program status of a production site attained when the APHIS Administrator approves the outcome of an initial audit.

Stage 2 - Program status attained upon approval of an audit of a Stage 1 production site.

Stage 3 - Program status attained upon approval of an audit of a Stage 2 production site

Trichinae Identification Number (T.I.N.) - A unique number assigned to a site by the APHIS Administrator based on location and ownership.

Veterinary Medical Officer - A veterinarian employed by the state or federal government who is authorized to perform official animal health activities on their behalf.

Waste Feeding Log Book - A written record which documents Good Production Practices in the trichinae program standards with respect to feeding of meat-containing waste to swine and compliance with relevant state and federal waste food feeding laws (see example in Appendix).

Wildlife Control Plan - A site specific plan to minimize contact of swine with all other animals.

Part II - Program Stages and Requirements

The preparatory stage of the program will introduce the certification process to the producer. A pre-audit package contains all information needed to understand the steps of the program and actions necessary to prepare for an audit. A pre-audit package may be obtained from the following sources: Qualified Accredited Veterinarians, state or federal animal health offices,, and the National Pork Producers Council, , or by writing to:

USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services
Trichinae Certification Program
4700 River Road, Unit XX
Riverdale, Maryland 20737

A pre-audit package may also be requested electronically through the program website:

Producers and production site personnel, in consultation with their herd veterinarian, should thoroughly review the information in the pre-audit package. Each point within the program standards should be considered during the pre-audit process and the sample audit and the checklist completed. A request for an official audit should not be made until both the producer and herd health personnel concur that program standards have been met.

When a pork producer has determined that all necessary steps have been taken to meet program standards, he/she may contact a qualified accredited veterinarian for a Stage I audit. An audit can only be performed by a Qualified Accredited Veterinarian or a Qualified Veterinary Medical Officer. A list of Qualified Accredited Veterinarians available to conduct trichinae audits can be found on the APHIS web site (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/trichinae) or a list may be requested in writing from the APHIS Administrator through the area office. . If a Qualified Accredited Veterinarian is unavailable a Qualified Veterinary Medical Officer should be contacted through the area office A fee will be charged of the producer for audit related activities.

At the time of audit, the producer, or a designated representative, will accompany the Auditor. The audit will determine whether the site has implemented the following Good Production Practices:

1. All non-breeding swine entering the site either originate from a Certified production site or are less than 5 weeks old. The source herd T.I.N. must be documented in an animal movement record. (see example in appendix)
2. Sources of feed or feed ingredients meet Good Manufacturing Practices or quality assurance standards recognized by the feed industry.
3. Feed prepared on the site must be prepared, stored, and delivered in a manner such that the feed has not been contaminated with rodent and wildlife carcasses.
4. Exclusion and control of rodents and wildlife is to a level such that fresh signs of activity of these animals are not observed in the swine production or feed preparation and storage areas. The producer maintains a rodent control logbook with site diagram, or records of a Pest Control Operator, which are updated on at least a monthly basis (see example in Appendix).
5. Wildlife carcasses are not intentionally fed to swine. Swine shall not have access to wildlife harborage or carcasses on the site.
6. Feeding of waste containing meat is a major risk factor for swine infection with trichinae.

• Feeding of waste food to swine requires state licensing and cooking time and temperature consistent with state and federal regulations. Storage of waste products to be fed must avoid contamination of cooked material with uncooked material.
• Uncooked household waste shall not be fed to swine.

7. Dead animal disposal methods shall accomplish prompt removal of swine carcasses from pens preventing cannibalism. Dead animals shall also be promptly removed from the site to prevent attraction of rodents and wildlife.
8. General hygiene of the facility should be such that rodents and wildlife are not attracted.

• Solid waste (facility refuse) shall be contained and regularly removed from the site preventing rodent and wildlife access and attraction.
• Spilled feed shall be regularly removed.

9. Departures from the site shall be documented on an animal movement record and take place in a manner that ensures the identity of these swine can be traced to their origin, the certified production site.

When all sections of the audit form have been completed, the producer (or designated representative) will sign the audit form attesting to the accuracy of audit information and the intent to continue adherence to the Good Production Practices necessary to maintain trichinae certification. The Qualified Accredited Veterinarian or Qualified Veterinary Medical Officer will also sign the audit form and will submit the signed form to the nearest APHIS Area Office (see list of addresses in Appendix).

Upon receipt of the completed and signed audit form in the APHIS Area Office, the audit will be reviewed and certification status for the site will be determined. Sites which meet all Good Production Practice criteria will be issued the appropriate program stage status at the appropriate program stage (see Administrative Procedures - Part III).

The date of program entry will be determined from the date the first audit leading to Stage I status was completed. All subsequent program dates will be based on this initial date at 6, 9, or 15 month intervals as appropriate. If a site is de-certified and must be granted stage I status a new anniversary date will be established.

Stage I - Sites which have the initial audit approved by the APHIS Administrator will be granted Stage I status. Stage I status indicates that the site has met all requirements of trichinae Good Production Practices. During Stage I, swine may not be sold as trichinae certified product.

The completed and signed audit form should be sent to the appropriate APHIS Area Office. For new sites, the audit will be reviewed and determination made whether program status is to be awarded. New sites which meet all Good Production Practice criteria will be issued Stage I status within thirty (30) working days (see Administrative Procedures - Part III) of receipt of the audit form.

Stage II - Sites with Stage I status may request an audit for Stage II status no sooner than 5 months and must submit a completed audit form no later than 7 months after attaining Stage I status.

The completed and signed audit form from a Stage I site should be sent to the appropriate APHIS Area Office. For Stage I sites, the audit will be reviewed and the determination made whether Stage II status is awarded. Stage I sites which meet all Good Production Practice criteria will be issued Stage II status and trichinae certification within seven (7) working days (see Administrative Procedures - Part III) of receipt of the audit form.

Sites holding Stage II certification may sell swine as trichinae certified.

Stage III - Sites holding Stage II status may request an audit for Stage III status after 8 months and must submit a completed audit form no later than 10 months following the date of Stage II status.

The completed and signed audit form from a Stage II site should be sent to the appropriate APHIS Area Office. For Stage II sites, the audit will be reviewed and determination made whether Stage III status awarded and certification is continued. Stage II sites which meet all Good Production Practice criteria will be issued Stage III status and continuation of trichinae certification within thirty (30) working days (see Administrative Procedures - Part III) of receipt of the audit form.

Step III - Maintenance of Stage III Status and Trichinae Certification

Sites holding Stage III status must request a renewal audit no sooner than 14 months and must submit a completed audit form no later than 16 months following the most recent date of certification.

The completed and signed audit form from a Stage III site should be sent to the appropriate APHIS Area Office. For Stage III sites, the audit will be reviewed and status will be determined. Stage III sites which meet all Good Production Practice criteria will be issued Stage III status and continuation of certification within thirty (30) working days (see Administrative Procedures - Part III) of receipt of the audit form.

Within sixty (60) days of a change in ownership and/or management of Stage II or Stage III sites, an audit must be conducted. If this audit is satisfactory, certification will continue in Stage II status (note, change in ownership will require new Stage III status). If the audit results do not meet program requirements, as determined by APHIS, the site is de-certified and a new audit must be conducted to achieve Stage I status.

All Stage II and Stage III certified swine sold to other producers, to buying stations, or to slaughter facilities must be identified or segregated in such a way that they can be identified with a certified production site. This must be documented in a generic animal movement record. Failure to appropriately identify or segregate swine during transport or sales process will result in loss of program status and certification of the swine.