Speaking at the IPPE meat trade show in Atlanta, Georgia, JBS USA director of sustainability Kim Stackhouse said its 2020 sustainability programme for animal agriculture was viewed so positively by its global company that they were now in negotiations with the businesses representatives in Brazil to launch a global initiative.
Stackhouse did not reveal when the programme would be implemented, but spoke about the progress they have made so far in meeting global demand.
JBS USA launched the 2020 sustainability improvement goals in 2017, covering areas such as team member health and safety, natural resource use, greenhouse gas emissions, animal welfare and ethical conduct in its supply chain.
The business revealed that they were in the process of implementing its Supplier Code of Business Ethics and Conduct with all of its manufacturing suppliers, while they had launched a data collection system to begin tracking against its animal welfare scorecard.
“Sustainability in animal agriculture is not just a trend, it’s here to stay. The company has never undertaken these types of goals before,” said Stackhouse. “Following the launch of our 2020 sustainability goals in 2017, JBS USA has invested more than $300m in sustainability-related projects, positioning the company for future growth and exciting new opportunities.”
Stackhouse leads the company’s internal sustainability programme and public reporting initiatives to leverage best practices and reduce environmental and social impacts. She has spent the last 10 years working in the area of sustainability and recently served as the executive director of global sustainability at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).
JBS USA recently announced a $20m expansion of its Plumrose USA prepared foods business in Ottumwa, Iowa, to meet growing food service and retail customer demand for high-quality bacon products.
JBS USA is a $37bn company and produces 75% of the firm’s global sales.