British pork now California-ready with NSF's Prop 12 certification

NSF, a global public health and safety organisation, announced that it has become one of the first UK certification bodies to offer California’s Proposition 12 (Prop 12) certification for British pork. In addition to its unique position as the only Red Tractor Certification Body (CB) for pork in the UK, NSF continues to pioneer in industry certifications, offering British farmers a comprehensive solution for pork production certification.

Proposition 12 is a ground-breaking animal welfare law from California that sets higher standards for the confinement of certain farm animals. As of January 1, 2024, Prop 12 certification is critical for British producers eyeing the lucrative US market, as it ensures their compliance with Californian animal welfare standards.

NSF’s Prop 12 certification means British pork producers can now access the Californian market with greater confidence. This aligns perfectly with NSF’s mission to improve and protect human health, as healthier animals mean safer, higher quality meat for consumers. California consumes nearly 15% of all US pork, yet only produces 1%, so it relies heavily on imports from other states and internationally, which, in 2022, the US imported over £1.3 billion pork products."

"NSF also offers the unique advantage of bundled auditing, allowing Prop 12 and Red Tractor audits to happen simultaneously, which reduces the audit burden on British farmers, making certification more efficient and cost-effective," said Dale Newitt, director of supply chain food safety, NSF.

"Bundled auditing is a game-changer for British farmers. By conducting Prop 12 and Red Tractor audits at the same time, we can cut down on the time and expense usually associated with gaining these important certifications," Newitt said.

As a trusted name in the industry, NSF emphasises the importance of animal wellness as part of its broader commitment to public health. Its dual certification services underscore its commitment to supporting British farmers and the industry at large, offering a streamlined approach to meet the increasingly rigorous standards of domestic and international markets.

"I'm delighted that we can now offer UK pig farmers access to this important market for selling safe and traceable UK pork. We have explored all the different options for achieving this, including whether the CDFA could simply recognise the Red Tractor scheme directly," said Jim Moseley, CEO, Red Tractor. "However, Californian legislation requires the independent assessment and certification body to be certified by CDFA. That's why news that NSF has now been certified by CDFA is so significant. It makes it very easy for pig farmers and their processors to access the California market from January next year." 

"As part of their existing Red Tractor assessment, they will be able to simply add the Prop 12 checks, where required, and have access this important market for their pork. This is an important milestone for the pigs sector in this country," Moseley added. "Hopefully it can be the start of a productive and ongoing new trading relationship."