MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - June 20, 2014) - Since news broke last week of horrific animal abuse at a British Columbia (BC) dairy farm, Saputo Inc. (TSX:SAP) ("Saputo" or the "Company") has been strongly advocating for the implementation of strict animal welfare standards into BC law.
Saputo led the initiative for BC industry stakeholders to come together to review enforceable animal welfare standards on dairy farms in British Columbia. The Company received confirmation that the BC Ministry of Agriculture, the Farm Industry Review Board, the BC Milk Marketing Board (BCMMB), the BC Dairy Association, the BC Dairy Council and the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will meet next week to start the process relating to the implementation of strict enforceable animal welfare standards.
Saputo has stressed the need for significant changes to BC law relating to enforceable animal welfare standards and was adamant that, during the interim, sufficiently adequate animal welfare practices be implemented immediately at the BC farm in question before the Company would consider receiving milk sourced at this farm from the BCMMB. Saputo has now reviewed satisfactory independent veterinarian reports confirming the farm has implemented these practices. Following these developments, Saputo will resume - along with all BC processors - accepting milk from the BCMMB originating from this farm.
Saputo is pleased the entire dairy industry has rallied together and that all of its stakeholders have a strong interest in ensuring these standards are implemented as soon as reasonably possible.
About Saputo
Saputo produces, markets, and distributes a wide array of dairy products of the utmost quality, including cheese, fluid milk, extended shelf-life milk and cream products, cultured products and dairy ingredients. We are one of the top ten dairy processors in the world, the largest in Canada, the third in Argentina and the fourth in Australia. In the US, the Company ranks among the top three cheese producers and is one of the largest producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products. Our products are sold in more than 40 countries under well-known brand names such as Saputo, Alexis de Portneuf, Armstrong, Baxter, Dairyland, Dragone, DuVillage 1860, Friendship, Frigo Cheese Heads, Great Midwest, King's Choice, Kingsey, La Paulina, Milk2Go, Neilson, Nutrilait, Ricrem, Salemville, Scotsburn, Stella, Sungold and Treasure Cave. Saputo Inc. is a publicly traded company whose shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "SAP".