Maple Leaf Foods Inc
MFI:CN CA5649051078
Key Information
HQ:
Canada
Market Cap:
$2.51bn
Primary Markets:
Asia, North America
Waste & Pollution Engagement
Analysis Overview
Risk Assessment Value Chain Coverage Risk Mitigation Circularity Company Engagement
Analysis Breakdown
Risk Assessment
Poor
Coverage of water quality risk assessment
In 2017, the company worked with a third-party consultant and WWF Canada to conduct a water risk assessment of its owned/leased farms and facilities. The assessment of water risk included water quality and pollution. The company mentions that it was determined that it had not directly caused or contributed to any negative water-related impacts on environmentally sensitive watersheds. However, the company acknowledges that some of its farms are located in areas with high threats to fresh water and overuse of water.
The company has not conducted any recent risk assessment, and the findings from the previous risk assessment might have changed over time, so it should be refreshed.
Transparency and disclosure of water quality indicators
The company states that its Greenleaf business was assessed a penalty of $252,000 for wastewater non-compliance at Turners Falls, USA. This was given from a US EPA Compliance Agreement and Final Order (with penalty). The non-compliance has been corrected, and the matter is closed.
Recognition of nutrient pollution risk on biodiversity
The company discloses the different watersheds in Canada where it has identified its owned/leased pork and chicken farms. When the risk assessment was conducted in 2017, the company determined that it had not directly caused or contributed to any negative water-related impact on environmentally sensitive watersheds. However, it recognises that some of its farms are located in areas with high threats to fresh water and overuse of water.
In the engagement call with FAIRR, the company mentioned that it had yet to conduct a biodiversity and nature-related risk assessment. The company mentions exploring how to correctly measure and assess the company´s impacts on nature and biodiversity.
Value Chain Coverage
Poor
Inclusion of upstream feed and livestock suppliers in risk assessment
The risk assessment conducted by the company included owned/leased pork and chicken farms. In the engagement call with FAIRR, the company mentioned that it farms about 40% of its hogs.
The company mentions that the risk assessment conducted in 2017 also included the sourced feed and feed ingredient locations in Canada.
Downstream use of manure by animal feed suppliers
The company mentions that local farmers use 100% of the manure produced as a fertiliser. In the engagement call with FAIRR, the company disclosed that it has partnered with farmers as part of its regenerative agriculture project with Nutrien. However, it does not mention whether feed producers use the company´s manure.
Acknowledgment of regulatory risks
In the engagement call with FAIRR, the company mentioned that the main region where it operates, Manitoba, already has very strict regulations regarding waste management.
Transparency on non-compliance from suppliers
The company does not disclose information.
Risk Mitigation
Medium
Biogas generation and organic fertilisers from animal waste
The company mentions exploring converting manure into Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and "digestate". In its response letter to the engagement, the company mentions it is currently exploring the feasibility of building anaerobic digesters near its facilities and barns in Manitoba and Ontario.
Target-setting for water quality
The company discloses that the risk assessment findings helped inform the strategies the company has integrated across its operations. However, the company does not disclose site-specific plans.
Support to third-party suppliers
The company discloses that it works with local farmers to recycle manure from the animals raised by the company. 100% of the manure produced by its owned and leased hog farms is applied to fields as fertiliser with a site-specific nutrient management plan developed by a certified agrologist.
The company has teamed up with a Canadian company and the world’s largest provider of crop inputs, Nutrien, to expand its regenerative agriculture project that started in 2021. The project incentivises and educates farmers within a defined supply shed where the company sources feed grains to adopt regenerative agriculture practices. Part of the focus is to improve nitrogen management. In 2021, the project encompassed approximately 20,000 acres of farmland in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In 2022, it plans to scale the project to 100,000 acres.
Circularity
Poor
Pilot projects around nutrient circularity
The company does not disclose information.
Disclosure of investment in circular solutions
The company does not disclose information.
Targets to increase share of manure under circular initiatives
The company does not disclose information.
Company Engagement
Good
Level of company engagement with the coalition
The company provided a timely response to the investor letter. It also responded to the engagement questions and met with investors within the engagement period. The company did not provide feedback on FAIRR´s assessment.
Workstream Information
2023 level
Poor
Index Waste & Pollution Score:
14/100
Assessed Proteins:
Poultry and eggs, Pork
Last Updated:
28 June 2023
2023/24 Resources
Phase 1 | Key Findings Report Waste & Pollution Engagement