Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1287

The Niverville, Manitoba based Puratone Corporation has become the first pork production company in Western Canada to achieve ISO 14001 certification.

The Puratone Corporation was founded in 1973 and is involved in hog production and in feed manufacturing for the hog, poultry, dairy and beef industries.

ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, is based in Geneva, Switzerland. ISO 14001 is a rigorous environmental management system standard which incorporates independent third party audits.

Puratone CEO Ab Freig says ISO 14001 certification is an important step in the company's commitment to continuous environmental improvement.

"At Puratone we have committed to not only adhering to the environmental regulations but exceeding those environmental regulations.

Our goal was not merely to comply but to lead in this approach.

We felt, at Puratone, that we would like to submit ourselves to the strictest of standards and have an internationally recognized third party to audit our environmental management system to ensure that we are following the strictest of standards.

We have dedicated ourselves to develop science based environmental management practices and not only to meet but to exceed the current industry standards.

It is a self initiated, proactive approach that involves stringent monitoring, constant testing and ensures checks and balances.

We did that to ensure that our communities are safe and healthy".

Freig says Puratone welcomes public accountability.

He says ISO 14001 certification demonstrates the company is serious about its commitment to protecting the environment.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.