Company is one of only two North American
protein companies and only Canadian-owned company ranked in top two
tiers
MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 16,
2022 /PRNewswire/ - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (TSX:
MFI) today was ranked among a list of committed and impactful
global leaders in animal welfare by the Business Benchmark on Farm
Animal Welfare (BBFAW), the leading global measure of policy
commitment, performance, and disclosure on animal welfare in food
companies.
Following its review of 150 companies in 25 countries,
BBFAW ranked Maple Leaf Foods in Tier 2, a position occupied by
just 12 companies. Only four companies are ranked in Tier 1. The
high ranking recognizes Maple Leaf Foods' industry-leading animal
care programs and performance and makes the company one of only two
North American protein companies in the top two tiers and the only
Canadian-owned company to achieve this distinction.
"Maple Leaf Foods is values-driven and deeply committed to
providing the highest level of welfare to animals in our care. Our
customers expect it and our animals deserve it," said Vice
President of Animal Care, Kathleen
Long, DVM. "We're proud of our recent, full conversion of
all our sow barns to our Advanced Open Sow Housing system that
enables our sows to choose when they eat, socialize, play and rest.
We appreciate our collaboration with the Business Benchmark on Farm
Animal Welfare as we strive for ongoing, continuous improvement in
our animal care programs."
The company has a demonstrated record of innovation in animal
care. In addition to Maple Leaf Foods' recent completion of its
conversion of its sow barns to open housing, the company has
advanced other industry-leading, animal care initiatives
including:
- Deployment of trucks with hydraulic lifts to reduce pig stress
when boarding and exiting trucks.
- Purchase of temperature-controlled poultry trailers to protect
chickens during extreme cold weather conditions common in regions
where Maple Leaf Foods operates.
- The use of enrichments in nursery, finisher, and sow barns to
encourage pigs to play and chew as they naturally would.
- Researching and piloting of a variety of enrichments in poultry
barns that encourage chickens' natural behaviours to hide, perch
and peck. These enrichments also promote leg health in chickens by
encouraging chickens to stay active.
In addition, Maple Leaf Foods is committed to raising all of its
animals in ways that ensure optimal health and minimize the need
for antibiotics. The company is among North America's largest producers of raised
without antibiotics (RWA) pork and is Canada's largest producer of RWA poultry.
Note to media: B-roll video and photos of Maple
Leaf Foods' Advanced Open Sow Housing, hydraulic lift trailers and
enrichments are available in the Maple Leaf Media
Centre.
About Maple Leaf Foods Inc,
Maple Leaf Foods is a carbon neutral company with a vision to be
the most sustainable protein company on earth, responsibly
producing food products under leading brands including Maple Leaf®,
Maple Leaf Prime®, Maple Leaf Natural Selections®, Schneiders®,
Schneiders® Country Naturals®, Mina®, Greenfield Natural Meat Co.®,
Lightlife® and Field Roast™. The Company employs approximately
13,500 people and does business primarily in Canada, the U.S.
and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Mississauga,
Ontario and its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(MFI).
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SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.