Smithfield Foods Issues First Installment of 2016 Sustainability Report

SMITHFIELD, Va., May 02, 2017 -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. released the first section of its 2016 Sustainability Report, providing comprehensive information about its industry-leading animal care initiatives and practices. Starting with its Animal Care section, Smithfield will issue its 16^th annual report in segments each week throughout the month of May. A key highlight of the section is Smithfield’s 87 percent progress toward converting all pregnant sows to group housing systems on company-owned farms by the end of 2017.

“Customers and consumers are increasingly interested in the living conditions, care and respect of farm animals, and we are proud to proactively implement policies and practices that address their concerns,” said Stewart Leeth, vice president of regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods. “As just one example, more than 70 of the largest U.S. retailers and foodservice companies have announced commitments to source pork from producers utilizing group housing systems for pregnant sows. Today, Smithfield remains the only major pork producer to undertake such a conversion.”

The report provides in-depth information about Smithfield’s specific leadership positions in the area of animal care, including being the:

• First to commit to providing group housing for pregnant sows on company-owned farms worldwide.
• First and only company in the industry to report antibiotics usage (since 2007).
• First pork producer to develop and implement a comprehensive, systematic animal welfare management program.

In addition to information about these topics, the report also includes case studies about animal care research, a glossary of animal-care industry terms, results of internal animal care audits and other information.

“As the world’s largest hog producer, we have a unique position and responsibility to lead our industry in animal care," said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer for Smithfield Foods. "Our bold steps — whether toward enhancing our reporting surrounding antibiotics or group housing systems for pregnant sows — not only create value for our business and the industry but, more importantly, embody our mission to produce good food the right way.”

Smithfield will issue its annual sustainability report in segments organized by each pillar of its comprehensive program. The goal of the multiphase release is to better engage a broad range of stakeholders by delivering information in a more accessible way. Following the Animal Care section, Smithfield will publish its Environment, Food Safety and Quality, Helping Communities, and People segments in succession.

To view an introductory video of the Animal Care section, click here. To read the Animal Care section of the report in its entirety, please visit www.smithfieldfoods.com/animalcare.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield^®, Eckrich^®, Nathan's Famous^®, Farmland^®, Armour^®, John Morrell^®, Cook's^®, Kretschmar^®, Gwaltney^®, Curly's^®, Margherita^®, Carando^®, Healthy Ones^®, Krakus^®, Morliny^®, and Berlinki^®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

Contact:
Kathleen Kirkham
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
(757) 365-1965
[email protected]