Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced today that it has become the first in its industry to achieve ISO 14001 certification for all its U.S. hog production and processing facilities.

"For years Smithfield has been recognized as the leader in the meat industry, and now we're also being recognized as the industry leader in environmental stewardship," said C. Larry Pope, president and chief operating officer of Smithfield Foods. Smithfield has achieved its aggressive goal of ISO 14001 certification for all Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) in its U.S-based hog production and processing facilities.

"ISO certification acknowledges that Smithfield is meeting a stringent set of internationally respected environmental management standards," said Pope.

ISO 14001 is the international gold standard for environmental management. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), based in Geneva, Switzerland, promotes the development and implementation of voluntary international standards for environmental management systems. If a facility receives ISO certification, it means that facility has implemented state-of-the-art environmental management systems that include formalized practices to protect the environment.

"It's gratifying to see that companies such as Smithfield Foods are using comprehensive environmental management systems to ensure that high environmental standards are routinely maintained," said Jon Scholl, counselor to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) administrator for agricultural policy.

To obtain ISO certification, a company must meet a rigorous and comprehensive set of requirements and criteria developed by more than 2,000 experts worldwide. The certification process is conducted by an accredited third-party auditor and ensures that anyone receiving certification has mechanisms in place to ensure, and move beyond, environmental compliance.

In 2001 Smithfield began voluntarily implementing a comprehensive Environmental Management System on all of its Murphy-Brown hog farms. Subsequently Murphy-Brown, Smithfield's livestock production subsidiary, was the world's first livestock production company to receive ISO certification of its EMS.

Smithfield has now received ISO environmental certification of its EMS at all of its U.S. hog production and processing facilities, except new acquisitions. An EMS is a management tool that provides an organized approach to identifying and managing those parts of its operations that could affect the environment, including manure handling, waste treatment systems, water conservation, sanitation and good housekeeping practices.

"Earning ISO 14001 environmental certification is a major accomplishment for Smithfield and our dedicated employees," said Dennis Treacy, vice president of environmental, community and government affairs for Smithfield Foods. "We commend our employees for their hard work in helping Smithfield companies achieve our environmental goals."

With sales of $10 billion, Smithfield Foods is the leading processor and marketer of fresh pork and processed meats in the United States, as well as the largest producer of hogs. For more information, please visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $15 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

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