Perform SQFI Primary Animal Production Inspection using eAuditor
Performing SQFI Primary Animal Production Inspection using eAuditor ensures a thorough evaluation of animal farming operations, food safety systems, animal welfare practices, biosecurity controls, environmental management, and regulatory compliance while maintaining alignment with the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) Food Safety Code for Primary Animal Production.
-
Definition and Purpose of SQFI Primary Animal Production Inspection
The SQFI Primary Animal Production Inspection is a formal assessment conducted to verify that livestock and animal production operations meet SQF food safety, quality, and animal welfare requirements before products enter the food supply chain.
Its objectives include:
- Preventing biological, chemical, and physical contamination
- Ensuring humane animal treatment and health management
- Verifying hygiene and sanitation practices
- Confirming traceability and record accuracy
- Demonstrating compliance with SQF certification standards
Using eAuditor enables:
- Digital, standardized inspection checklists
- Evidence capture (photos, notes, documents, GPS, timestamps)
- Automated scoring and compliance dashboards
- Structured non-conformity classification
- Corrective action assignment and monitoring
- Secure audit trails for certification and regulatory review
-
Inspection Scope
The inspection typically covers:
- Farm registration and regulatory compliance
- Animal identification and traceability
- Feed and water management
- Animal health and welfare
- Biosecurity programs
- Housing and facility hygiene
- Chemical and veterinary drug control
- Waste and environmental management
- Transport readiness
- Documentation and record keeping
-
Pre-Inspection Setup in eAuditor
3.1 Digital Checklist Configuration
Create a checklist aligned with SQF Code – Primary Animal Production Modules, including:
- Site and producer identification
- Livestock type and production system
- Certification scope
- Inspector details and inspection date
- Compliance status fields (Compliant / Non-compliant / N/A)
Enable:
- Mandatory comments for non-conformities
- Photo and document upload
- Risk severity selection
- Corrective action workflow
- Due dates and responsibility assignment
- Digital signatures
-
Legal and Certification Compliance
Verify:
- Valid business and farm registration
- SQF certification status or application records
- Compliance with veterinary and livestock regulations
- Transport and animal movement permits
- Worker employment documentation
-
Animal Identification and Traceability
Assess:
- Individual or batch animal identification system
- Record linkage from birth/purchase to sale
- Movement logs
- Mortality records
- Supplier and buyer traceability documentation
- Recall readiness procedures
-
Feed and Water Management
Inspect:
- Approved feed suppliers
- Feed storage hygiene and protection
- Feed labeling and batch identification
- Prevention of contamination
- Potable water availability
- Water testing records
- Cleaning of troughs and delivery systems
-
Animal Health and Welfare
Evaluate:
- Veterinary care program
- Vaccination schedules
- Disease monitoring procedures
- Isolation areas for sick animals
- Humane handling practices
- Stocking density compliance
- Injury and mortality management
-
Biosecurity Controls
Confirm:
- Controlled farm access points
- Visitor registration
- Vehicle disinfection procedures
- Staff hygiene requirements
- Animal quarantine protocols
- Pest and wildlife control systems
-
Facilities and Housing Hygiene
Inspect:
- Animal housing cleanliness
- Ventilation and temperature control
- Bedding condition
- Drainage and waste removal
- Structural safety
- Lighting adequacy
-
Veterinary Drug and Chemical Control
Review:
- Approved medication lists
- Secure chemical storage
- Usage and withdrawal period records
- Administration procedures
- Staff authorization and training
- Disposal of expired products
-
Waste and Environmental Management
Assess:
- Manure handling procedures
- Waste storage and disposal
- Runoff prevention
- Odor management
- Environmental impact controls
- Compliance with environmental regulations
-
Transport Readiness and Loading Practices
Check:
- Animal fitness for transport
- Vehicle cleanliness and suitability
- Loading procedures
- Stress minimization techniques
- Transport documentation
-
Documentation and Record Keeping
Verify the availability and accuracy of:
- Animal records
- Feed and medication logs
- Health treatment records
- Training certificates
- Biosecurity procedures
- Internal inspection reports
- Corrective action documentation
-
Non-Conformity Management in eAuditor
14.1 Classification
- Critical – immediate food safety or animal welfare risk
- Major – serious compliance failure
- Minor – limited deviation
- Observation – improvement opportunity
14.2 Digital Workflow
Using eAuditor:
- Log findings with evidence
- Assign corrective actions
- Set deadlines
- Track progress in real time
- Verify effectiveness
- Maintain a full digital audit trail
-
Reporting and Continuous Improvement
15.1 Automated Reporting
Generate:
- Compliance scorecards
- Non-conformity summaries
- Risk distribution charts
- Corrective action status reports
- Certification readiness dashboards
15.2 Continuous Improvement Actions
- Strengthen animal health programs
- Improve feed and water quality controls
- Enhance staff training
- Upgrade housing infrastructure
- Improve traceability systems
- Reduce biosecurity risks
Elaborative Summary
The SQFI Primary Animal Production Inspection using eAuditor provides a comprehensive, digital, and auditable framework for verifying food safety systems, animal welfare practices, biosecurity programs, and regulatory compliance at the farm level. It supports SQF certification readiness, reduces contamination risks, improves traceability, and promotes continuous improvement through structured corrective action management and real-time performance monitoring.