Effective April 2009 Smithfield currently intends to procure only hogs born and raised in the U.S. for processing at its U.S. fresh meat facilities. This will allow the company to label fresh pork for retail as born, raised and processed in the USA according to the Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL) program soon to be enacted.
As a result of this decision, Smithfield expects that any independent producer who wishes to be a valued supplier of live animals to Smithfield will work with the company between now and the end of March to create a fully documented and transparent supply of hogs born and raised in the USA.
Source:
Smithfield Foods