Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 11/2/11

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has filed a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission, alleging that Smithfield Foods has “falsely convey[ed] that Smithfield has higher animal welfare and environmental standards than it actually does,” the organization said in a news release.
The animal welfare activist organization believes that such “misleading claims” are “in violation of federal securities law."

At issue is a series of videos that Smithfield posted online earlier this year, titled “Taking the Mystery out of Pork Production.” The seven-part series is designed to show consumers how Smithfield’s hog production unit, Murphy-Brown, operates, including an animal welfare segment and one on environmental protection.

HSUS complains that in the videos, Smithfield says that it provides animals with “ideal” living conditions, “despite the fact that the vast majority of its breeding sows are confined in gestation crates.” HSUS also said that the company’s claims to have an “environmental certification” from the International Organization of Standards are “false and misleading,” as are claims of organic agriculture.

In 2007, Smithfield pledged to end its use of gestation crates at company-owned facilities by 2017. In 2009, citing financial losses it was experiencing at the time, Smithfield Foods said it would delay the phase-out process, although it noted in its annual report, "We remain committed to implementing the program as soon as economic conditions improve."

Smithfield said in a statement the company has obtained and is reviewing the complaint, adding:

"We are proud of our unparalleled track record as a sustainable food producer and stand confidently behind our company’s public statements concerning animal care and environmental stewardship. Our progress in these areas are clearly documented on our website and in our Corporate Social Responsibility Report. We welcome all who are interested in learning more about our company’s corporate social responsibility practices. Any objective assessment of our practices would conclude that Smithfield and our employees are behaving in a socially responsible manner."

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