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What is the South Dakota BQA/CMP
Program?
South Dakota Beef
Quality Assurance/Critical Management Plan (SDBQA/CMP)
is a program to ensure cattle are maintained in
a proper manner which will result in a safe and
wholesome beef product for the consumer.
Specifically, the SDBQA/CMP program is designed
to prevent residues, pathogen contamination and
carcass blemishes, such as injection sites and
bruises.
Is a BQA/CMP program really necessary?
Concern over food wholesomeness and safety is a
very current issue. It is of utmost importance
that the public know beef is a safe product.
Today, quality control is an important part of
all businesses. Beef production, from the
producer to the retailer, is no exception. BQA/CMP
is a good business practice that can identify
potential problem areas in a beef production
system and thus avoid potential product defects.
A BQA/CMP program will help to assure consumer
confidence for expanding both domestic and
export markets.
Does BQA/CMP involve all levels of
production?
From start to finish, every person in the food
chain must take responsibility for safe and
proper practices. Although the cow/calf producer
is the farthest from the consumer, he can still
affect the safety of beef and has a
responsibility to deliver a quality product to
his respective market.
What is a Hazard Analysis Critical
Control (HACCP) Plan?
A Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)
plan is a system designed to identify and
prevent potential problems and defects by
establishing preventative management plans that
reduce potential problems at the most logical
control points in the production system.
A HACCP plan identifies:
-
what hazards or problems you want to
control,
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where are the best points to control
potential problems
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what preventive management practices should
be used
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who in the production system will monitor
the activities
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what records need to be kept, and
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what corrective actions should be taken if
problems do occur.
Since each farm, ranch or feedlot has its own
unique set of resources and management
procedures, every beef enterprise needs to
develop an individualized BQA/HACCP plan.
Does a program offer a competitive
advantage for the sale of our product?
At this time, the main advantages are assuring
no incidents occur and maintaining a positive
image. A marketplace competitive advantage may
become a fact in the future as packers develop
programs establishing compliance standards to
meet their principles of HACCP.
Why is the major emphasis on education?
Who is being educated?
Education is the key to assuring that every
person who comes into contact with cattle knows
that they are responsible for the safety of the
beef that goes onto the plate of the consumer.
Everyone in the equation, from cowboys, feeders,
processors, and food chain managers, must be
made aware of the involvement and obligations.
Will the need for beef safety assurance
education end?
It will be necessary to have a permanent
structure in place. Products, regulations and
people change constantly and so will the Quality
Assurance/Critical Management Plan program's
needs and challenges. Assuring the safety and
wholesomeness of beef is an ongoing
responsibility and commitment of the beef
industry. As long as consumers have concerns
about the safety of beef, the industry is
obligated to provide a program that enhances
consumers' confidence.
How do I get started?
First, attend one of the South Dakota BQA/CMP
training sessions listed on the calendar
(contact the BQA/CMP coordinator if there are no
training meetings scheduled in your area.) At
the training program, you will learn about some
of the potential hazards and physical defects
that can occur, including their economic impact
on you and the beef industry, as well as methods
to prevent these problems from occurring.
Second, work with a BQA/CMP trainer and your
veterinarian to develop a HACCP-like plan for
your beef production system. This plan will not
only guide your program for the production of
safe and wholesome beef, but it will also
provide a tool to verify your efforts to your
potential customers.
Producers, affiliates or groups interested in
having a BQA/CMP training session in their area
are encouraged to contact South Dakota's BQA/CMP
Coordinator via email at
aibmail@state.sd.us. They may also contact
their county extension office or
SDCA. |