On-Farm Programs
Canadian hog farmers are dedicated to raising the healthiest animals and providing safe food for consumers. The hog industry’s national on-farm programs require farmers to follow rigid standards for livestock production allowing them to demonstrate a deep commitment to on-farm food safety and humane animal care.
Canadian Pork Excellence (CPE)
Canadian Pork Excellence is the national platform that covers three major components of on-farm programs: PigTRACE (Traceability), PigSAFE (Food Safety) and PigCARE (Animal Care & Welfare).
The PigSAFE | PigCARE was launched under the Canadian Pork Excellence umbrella in 2019 and updated from previous CQA and ACA programs.
Producer’s manual for the PigSAFE | PigCARE is available here.
For more information, check out the CPE website or FAQ page.
PigSAFE | PigCARE
PigSAFE is the food safety and biosecurity component of CPE, while PigCARE is the animal care component of CPE.
On-farm programs relating to food safety were developed in response to consumers' interest in having assurances about the way pork is produced. The PigSAFE program provides a mechanism for producers to demonstrate their implementation of sound production practices that promote safe food production.
The food safety programs implemented on-farm are based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) models and include biosecurity elements developed by the Canadian Swine Health Board.
Animal care and welfare are more than ensuring animals are raised in comfortable surroundings. The PigCARE program involves the entire value chain from farmgate to the plate including transporting of our livestock. Producers are committed to raising high quality pork for their local and international customers and the overall health and well-being of the animals is very important.
Canada's Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs was updated in 2014 to reflect enhanced animal care, housing and transport protocols.
On farm programs related to animal care demonstrate producers’ commitment to the care and welfare of their animals. They also increase public trust, and industry sustainability.
To be a registered as a CPE producer, program requirements are assessed each year for compliance by a program validator.
PigTRACE
PigTRACE is the traceability component of CPE.
The PigTRACE program ensures that all pig farmers and pig custodians (auction markets, transporters, breeders etc.) properly identify, keep records and report the movement of pigs under their care or control from birth or import to slaughter or export. The wild boar industry is also subject to these requirements as of July 1, 2015.
Producers who would like more information on pig and farmed wild boar identification and reporting requirements should contact PigTRACE, which is administered by the Canadian Pork Council.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for enforcing the identification requirements. All movements require a completed PigTRACE Swine Movement Manifest to be completed.
PigTrace Swine Movement Manifest is available here
Canadian Ractopamine-Free Certification Program
The Canadian Ractopamine-Free Pork Certification Program assures international markets that pigs raised according to the PigSAFE| PigCARE program have never been fed and/or exposed to ractopamine hydrochloride and the pork produced is free of its residues. The CFIA is the responsible body of certification for this matter.
PigLEARN
PigLEARN is an online subscription-based training platform launched in March 2025 to improve knowledge and contribute to greater productivity within the swine industry. It is a self-paced learning experience with a wide range of educational content, including training videos, quizzes and other resources. Learners can track their progress and receive certificates of completion to boost their confidence and to feel empowered in their current roles.
Catalog of training modules can be found here.
Sask Pork will cover two 24-month subscriptions for each premise in Saskatchewan. contact karolina@saskpork.com to gain access.