Seeking efficiency, productivity and success

2004-10-14

Puratone, a leading agribusiness company based in Niverville, Manitoba has operations that encompass feed and hog production, animal health products, equipment and project management and various farm supplies.

As a company that markets itself based on the efficiency, productivity and success of its hog and poultry operations, it's no surprise that Puratone seeks to have the first hog barns registered to ISO 14001. "When it comes to environmental stewardship and animal welfare, our goal is not to merely comply, but to lead," says the company in its most recent annual report.

According to Statistics Canada, Canada's hog industry was worth approximately $3.32 billion in 2002 and currently consists of nearly 14.6 million hogs, making it one of Canada's most significant agricultural industries. In 2001, Canadian hog farmers invested an average of $6,224 each on environmental improvements, compared to an average of $1,091 invested by other farmers.

In addition to the generic ISO 14001 standard, the Canadian Standards Assocation (CSA) recently released the first environmental management standard aimed specifically at hog farms. The requirements of CAN/CSA Z771 are consistent with the principles outlined in ISO 14001, and require that potential and existing environmental impacts be identified and addressed.

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