GREELEY, Colo. – Pilgrim's, a JBS USA company and the second-largest poultry company in the world, has released its inaugural 2012 Corporate Responsibility Report. This is the business’ first published summary of its animal welfare, community involvement, food safety, recycling and water conservation programs, among other things.

As the second-largest poultry company in the world, Pilgrim's relays it has always placed a priority on being open and forthright about its efforts regarding social responsibility and environmental sustainability. As more retailers, foodservice customers and consumers seek to learn more about their food's sources and background, Pilgrim's released more information about its practices, governance and progress.

"Every day, Pilgrim's touches the lives of millions of people through the quality poultry products we produce, the manner in which we conduct our business and the value that we generate for our stakeholders," said Bill Lovette, Pilgrim's president and chief executive officer. "We work hard to comply with the industry's best policies and procedures and to set responsible standards as we provide protein for a growing world."

This report contains two sections: Social responsibility and environmental sustainability. The social responsibility section highlights Pilgrim’s practices that are structured to ensure the well-being of its animals, employees, communities and customers. Animal welfare, employee and supplier diversity, business ethics and corporate governance, food safety and quality assurance, charitable giving and community involvement, labor and immigration are all included.

The sustainability section outlines company efforts in water and wastewater, wastes and by-products, land and air, energy, packaging, transportation, facilities and the supply chain. Each area has specific, measurable goals, and the highlights of these efforts are provided.

Pilgrim’s plans to continue reporting on its programs and goals as the company further develops its corporate responsibility and sustainability communications.

This document is not intended to be a comprehensive sustainability or corporate social responsibility report as it is technically understood — with extensive metrics against established standards, Lovette said. "Rather, we offer it as an honest assessment of our positions and performance in key areas of interest to our stakeholders,” he added. “We consider it a foundation on which to build in the years ahead."

To read the complete report, visit www.pilgrims.com/sustainability.