March 7, 2007

Smithfield vows to reduce gas emissions
 

Smithfield Foods promised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by at least 6 percent by 2010 as it joined the Chicago Climate Exchange, a voluntary market where companies can trade pollution credits.

The move comes on the heels of Smithfield setting a timeline to gradually phase out the much-criticised gestation crates that pigs are raised in. Voluntarily joining a market that gives the company incentives to combat global warming expects to please critics.

The Chicago Climate Exchange requires member companies to reduce its emissions by 6 percent.

Smithfield recently ended an experiment trying to create biodiesel, but it still has a bio energy subsidiary that converts methane gas into energy it uses. The company said it is trying to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, and has created a bio energy task force.

One of Smithfield's major sources of pollution is the methane gas that emanates from the lagoons that hold pig waste. Smithfield is capturing the methane and using it as energy in boilers used to heat its facilities.