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All the pork Smithfield supplies to UK retailers comes from Polish farms which meet at least EU legal animal welfare requirements as well as abiding with all the requirements of the Polish legal system. All Smithfield owned farms in Poland currently operate to the Higher Level EU 2013 standard (broadly comparable to UK standards) and all contracted farms meet, as a minimum, current EU standards. However, 90% of contracted farms have already reached EU 2013 standard, at least four years ahead of the statutory requirement. In addition, farms which supply fresh pork to UK retailers are part of Smithfield’s Farm Assurance Programme and meet and sometimes exceed current UK welfare standards.

Smithfield’s hog production company were the first hog firm in Poland to obtain ISO 14001 certification, which covers international standards in Animal Welfare Management Programmes and Environmental Management Systems. Smithfield has established a stringent Animal Welfare Management System (AWMS) which covers critical areas including housing, food and water, gestation, farrowing and animal health and safety.

In addition, by 2005 Smithfield had achieved accreditation and implemented robust ISO 14001:2005 Environmental Management Systems which included waste and slurry management systems which have reduced odours and emissions by 60% and are designed to protect underground water from contamination.

All Smithfield-owned farms which supply fresh pork to the UK have ISO 14001 accreditation and all Smithfield farms and meat plants are Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) compliant.

In addition, all Smithfield processing plants are BRC accredited and CMi food safety inspected. All products sold by Smithfield in the UK are produced to approved UK specifications and use meat processed to pre-determined EU standards.

Smithfield do not use complete-life sow stalls in any of their own or contracted Polish farms. Farrowing crates are used, as indeed they are in the UK and throughout the EU, for one week prior to farrowing and for four weeks after for the benefit of their piglets health and to minimise piglet mortality.

All Smithfield pigs have permanent access to fresh water and materials to encourage natural rooting and playing behaviour. In addition, Smithfield do not routinely clip teeth or dock tails unless absolutely required for the health of the animal. All farm-assured Smithfield pigs destined for the UK are finished in large deep straw pens, giving them a more comfortable living environment.

All Smithfield farms and processing facilities are subject to regular and stringent audits, both internal by company personnel and external by state and local veterinary inspectors and international third party audit companies such as Genesis QA and Integra.

For more information please visit www.smithfieldfoods.co.uk or contact:

Jane Bentley, Marketing Controller

Tel: 01603 252459

Email: janebentley@smithfieldfoods.co.uk

All media and press enquiries contact:

Adam Wurf/ Michael Evans, Madano Partnership

Tel: 0207 593 4000

Email: adam.wurf@madano.co.uk/ michael.evans@madano.co.uk