TQA® Certification
Transport Quality Assurance® (TQA) is a certification program that trains pig transporters, producers and handlers how to handle, move and transport pigs. It includes training on the potential impacts transporting can have on pig well-being and pork quality. TQA® is ISO compliant meaning it meets the highest standards of animal care around the world.
Research has shown that using good animal handling practices benefits the pig, the handler and the industry. TQA certification demonstrates that a handler is committed to promoting and protecting pig well-being. Incidents of poor animal handling or abuse are considered to be ethically wrong and unacceptable.
Get Certified
There are two types of certifications available through the TQA® program. Get started by contacting a certified advisor for online or in-person training.
- TQA Handler certification: authorizes individuals to move, handle and transport pigs.
- TQA Advisor certification: allows individuals who have been trained by the Pork Checkoff to offer TQA certification training and administer exams to handlers.
TQA® Handbooks and Resources
Find the handbook format and language that work best for you. Download the full TQA handbook as a PDF or access the mobile-friendly version for convenient viewing on any device. English and Spanish versions are available for both.
PDF Handbook
TQA Version 9 Handbook – English
TQA Version 9 Handbook – Spanish
Mobile Handbook
TQA Version 9 Mobile Handbook – English
TQA Version 9 Mobile Handbook – Spanish
The Role of Pig Handlers and Transporters
Trained and certified pig handlers and transporters are vital to promote and protect animal well-being. Modern pig farming involves moving animals frequently throughout the production cycle for the following purposes:
- Routine daily care
- Treatment of an illness or injury
- Reproduction
- Relocation to another production phase and location/site
- Sale or processing
Proper animal handling results in easier pig movement, reduced stress, decreased transport losses, reduced weight loss and better meat quality.
