Trust through science: Common Swine Industry Audit

Proof builds trust, and trust keeps the supply chain moving. We take you inside the Common Swine Industry Audit (CSIA) to show how one science-based, third-party verification practices helps producers and packers demonstrate animal welfare and pre-harvest pork safety with clarity and credibility. With guests Brooke Kitting, CSIA task force co-chair and senior veterinarian at Seaboard Foods, and Stephanie Wetter, Director of Animal Welfare at the National Pork Board, we explore why a single recognized audit reduces duplicative demands while protecting freedom to operate for farms of every size. We break down the 2026 CSIA updates that matter most. The audit now reflects the Five Domains model, shifting from a narrow focus on avoiding negatives to recognizing positive welfare states that contribute to a good life for pigs. You’ll hear how the animal benchmarking section evolves, why sampling is being expanded to detect low-frequency issues with greater confidence, and how clear transport space and handling criteria close critical gaps between barn and plant. These changes align with PQA Plus and TQA, creating a teach–implement–verify loop that matches what caretakers do every day and what customers expect to see documented. Beyond passing a checklist, the goal is a reliable feedback loop that drives continuous improvement and builds stronger trust with processors, retailers, and global customers. Ready to see how a single, science-backed practices can raise the bar for welfare, safety, and transparency across U.S. pork? Follow the show, share this episode with your team, and leave a quick review to tell us what change you’re most excited about.