The purpose of this proposal is to develop a comprehensive guide to assist small meat producer groups and small meat processors in understanding the internal and external benefits of the USDA ISO-9000 based QSCP, QSCP criteria, required documentation, training, internal auditing, inspection and testing, and formal third party audit. The guide will cover on farm production, product identity and traceability, processing, packaging, storage, distribution, and retailing of the finished product. The guide will explain, using terms relevant to the sector, how the system can be implemented by small meat producer groups and small meat processors. The guide will refer to meat safety programs and important meat safety management tools such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and explain how these relate to the QSCP. The guide will also touch on how the QSCP "USDA Processed Verified" approval can be an integral part of their marketing plan both domestically and internationally.
Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research::(a) to develop and publish a guide to the USDA ISO-9000 based QSCP assessment for small meat producer groups and small meat processors.(b) to provide the basis for the development and publishing of a complete QSCP tool on the "how to" of documentation, Internal audit training and final third party audit; for small meat producer groups and small meat processors.
