Canadian Pork Excellence
The Canadian Pork Excellence (CPE) program is the national quality assurance framework developed by the Canadian Pork Council (CPC). It is designed to support pork producers in maintaining high standards of food safety, animal care, and traceability, ensuring the production of safe, ethical, and high-quality pork for consumers both domestically and abroad.
At the heart of CPE are three key components
PigSAFE
Focusing on food safety, hazard control, and meeting consumer expectations around pork quality.
PigCARE
Ensures ethical treatment of animals, encouraging transparency and continuous improvement in animal welfare.
PigTRACE
Canada’s mandatory national swine traceability program, supports rapid response in the event of a disease outbreak or food safety emergency by tracking the movement of pigs across the country.
Together, these programs promote responsible production and maintain Canada’s global reputation for excellence in pork production.
While the CPC owns and develops the CPE framework, provincial groups are crucial in implementing the programs on the ground. For example, Alberta Pork is responsible for its delivery and administration within Alberta.
Alberta Pork plays a vital role in supporting producers throughout their journey to meet the CPE standards.
Alberta Pork Provides
Expert Guidance
Alberta Pork provides hands-on assistance with implementing CPE protocols, including barn maintenance, sanitation practices, and overall animal care. Each area is guided by detailed compliance expectations outlined in the CPE manual.
On-Site Support & Training
Alberta Pork offers on-site support and coordinates training for both producers and validators to ensure a consistent understanding of CPE requirements.
Validation Preparation &
Issue Resolution
Producers receive help preparing for validations and addressing any non-compliance issues. Alberta Pork works closely with them to ensure they meet both regulatory requirements and market demands.
Farm Audits
To ensure ongoing compliance, Alberta Pork conducts farm audits aligned with CPE standards, reinforcing accountability and continuous improvement across the industry.
Ultimately, Alberta Pork’s support ensures that producers “say what they do, do what they say, prove it, and improve it,” the core philosophy behind CPE. This partnership between national standards and local support strengthens Alberta’s pork industry, making it more sustainable, transparent, and competitive.