Assignment of Analysis in a CAQ-concept of the Pork Production Chain

Nowadays it is no longer sufficient to have only isolated dimensions of quality in view. In addition it is necessary to include all aspects of processing and product quality: environmental protection, animal health and welfare as well as quality features of the pork and monitoring of drug residues.There is therefore, a demand for an integrated CAQ-system (Computer Aided Quality assurance) in the whole pork production chain. Current pig production is widely distributed geographically and highly specialized. As a result, the available information is fragmented and the different enterprises like farms and slaughter-houses have no overall view of the pig production. A technical and an organisational integration between breeding, piglet producing, fattening, slaughtering and processing is required. It is necessary for the various parties involved that the information exchange within the different steps is possible. Potentialities under this aspect are electronic, injectable identification systems,improved sensor-based and non-sensor-based on-line data acquisition, screening tests, mobile labscombination of data bases from test results and production management.Assignment of analysis in a CAQ-concept is to supply additional data and predictive and prescriptive information for the individual farmer as well as the adviser. CAQ is an instrument that helps in making professional analysis of data, detecting and solving problems and making plans for the future. Therefore the collection, storage and analysis of data from the following fields is stimulated: performance controlhealth control of the individual animal and the herdcontrol of risk factors in the environment of the animalsquality control of the meat.In the last years several keystones of a CAQ-system have already been developed. Now, it is necessary to combine them efficiently to a total system.