Ethical Principles

Every day, the efforts of hog farmers and all those associated with pork production on Texas farms and those across America demonstrate care and concern for how pork is produced. The adoption of a new statement of ethical principles calls attention to producers’ responsibilities to uphold the highest standards and maintain the public’s trust. By affirming these principles, America’s pork producers acknowledge their commitment to:

Produce Safe Food

  • Use management practices consistent with producing safe food
  • Manage the health of the herd to produce safe food
  • Manage technology to produce safe food

Protect and Promote Animal Well-Being

  • Provide feed, water and an environment that promotes the well-being of our animals
  • Provide proper care, handling and transportation for pigs at each stage of life
  • Protect pig health and provide appropriate treatment, including veterinary care when needed
  • Use approved practices to euthanize, in a timely manner, those sick or injured pigs that fail to respond to care and treatment

Ensure Practices to Protect Public Health

  • Use management practices consistent with producing safe food
  • Manage the use of animal health products to protect public health
  • Manage manure and air quality to protect public health

Safeguard Natural Resources in All of our Practices

  • Manage manure as a valuable resource and use in a manner that safeguards air and water quality
  • Manage air quality from production facilities to minimize the impact on neighbors and the community
  • Manage our operations to protect the quality of natural resources

Provide a Work Environment that is Safe and Consistent with our other Ethical Principles

  • Provide a work environment that promotes the health and safety of employees
  • Educate employees on the Ethical Principles for U.S. Pork Producers and prepare them to meet their obligations consistent with these principles
  • Provide a work environment where employees are treated fairly and with respect

Contribute to a Better Quality of Life in our Communities

  • Recognize that being welcomed and appreciated by the community is a privilege that must be earned and maintained
  • Acknowledge that our practices affect the trust our community has in pork production and our operations
  • Operate in a manner that protects the environment and public health
  • Play an active role in helping to build a strong community
  • Acknowledge community concerns and address them in an honest and sincere manner

For more information about national pork production, please visit www.porkcares.org.