Antibiotic-Free 'Zero' iPork: Do You Know About It?

The iPork Farming Association under the Gyeonggi Province Pork Research Association, being fostered by Gyeonggi Province Agricultural Technology Institute (Director Kim Young-ho, Kisan-dong, Hwaseong), received antibiotic-free certification from Hankyung University's Eco-Friendly Agricultural and Livestock Products GAP Certification Center on the 14th at the institute's conference room.

Seventeen farms received certification this time, with the certification period running for two years from October 7 this year through October 6, 2012. The certified livestock count is approximately 50,000 head, and all farms including prospective farms are expected to obtain certification in the future.

These farms are also promoting HACCP certification projects, and it is anticipated they will be able to supply even safer livestock products to residents of the province.

iPork CEO Kim Jong-pil emphasized the importance of safe food, saying "It is more important than obtaining antibiotic-free livestock product certification to conduct thorough post-management in the future" and "What is even more crucial is producing safe pork for consumer health."

Additionally, CEO Kim stated, "The brand image of the pig farming industry in the future will survive only by differentiating through hygiene, stability, and meat quality," and expressed his vision, saying "The iPork Farming Association will promote HACCP certification targeting all member farmers to produce safe pork in the future."