Porc Qualité Ardenne (P.Q.A.)

History

Porc Qualité Ardenne or P.Q.A is a cooperative of pig breeders located in Malmedy. Since its creation in 1989 by 14 passionate producers who wanted to produce pork differently, P.Q.A has continued to develop around its founding values: local, quality and respect for the farmers and their animals. P.Q.A is very demanding on the quality of the meat, transparency and tries to constantly improve its ethics in this area. 

• In 1999, P.Q.A set up its own cutting and processing plant in Malmedy.
• In 2001, P.Q.A created its second branch: the "Ardenne Bio" pig.
• In 2007, P.Q.A has its own slaughterhouse.
• In 2018, P.Q.A was awarded the "Prix Juste Producteur" label.

P.Q.A has about 55 employees and 130 producers.

P.Q.A. is a real link between the farmers and the butcher, which favours the short circuit. They carry out the transport, slaughter and processing of pork.

The board of P.Q.A. is made up of breeders, which puts them at the centre of decision-making.

P.Q.A respects its farmers by ensuring a fair remuneration.

Organic sector

The organic sector brings together some fifty farms (out of 150) in our regions on family farms.

Animal welfare is a central concern.

The pigs are fed organic and local feed, without GMOs or antibiotics.
It is a slow production that respects the natural cycle of the pigs.

Organic pigs have: access to an outdoor exercise area, straw bedding for comfort, natural light and ventilation, a spacious living area, stress-free and pain-free transport and slaughter.

They are 7 months old (40 days of weaning) and weigh about 130kg.

Most farms have Duroc crossbred pigs, a hardy breed well adapted to organic conditions.

PQA pigs are easily traceable thanks to the marking on the carcass: you can know which farm they come from, which week they were slaughtered and which chain they are from.

At The Barn you will find cooked ham, smoked ham, ham sausage, salami and dry sausages from P.Q.A.