Brandon, Manitoba – In response to requests, the
Agreement for Waste Water Treatment Services between Maple Leaf and the City of
Brandon was released today.

“Our environmental track record in Brandon is strong and
it makes sense to provide this agreement to the community when it is
requested,” said Peter Smith, Maple Leaf Vice-President of Engineering.

The agreement provides for the City of Brandon to
deliver a wastewater treatment facility for the treatment of wastewater from
Maple Leaf’s world-class hog facility.

“Through efforts taken in producing the agreement in
1999, the working relationship between Maple Leaf, Brandon and the Province of
Manitoba continues to be very solid,” said Smith. “We meet regularly to monitor
the facility’s performance and compare that performance to our design
objectives. We have high performance expectations and we are meeting them.”

Smith said the focus continues to be on operational
excellence at both the Maple Leaf plant and the wastewater facility.

“This agreement is an example of how a partnership is
developed and can spur sustainable growth in the community and the province and
protect our natural resources,” said Ted Snure, City Engineer for the City of
Brandon.

Maple Leaf and Brandon entered into the agreement March
31, 1999, for wastewater treatment services at the Brandon facility adjacent to
the Maple Leaf plant. The agreement outlines responsibilities for the design,
construction and operation of the wastewater treatment facility.

Key points from the agreement include:

• Brandon owns and operates the wastewater treatment
  facility on lands adjacent to the Maple Leaf plant.

   

• Brandon processes pre-treated wastewater from the Maple
  Leaf plant and treats and disposes of the wastewater in compliance with its
  license from Manitoba Conservation.

   

• Brandon provides all management, engineering and other
  services required for the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment
  facility. Brandon recovers all costs from Maple Leaf.

   

• Maple Leaf pays expenses incurred in operation of the
  wastewater treatment facility. These include labour costs, transportation,
  sludge handling, monitoring programs, utilities, chemicals and contracted
  services.

   

• Maple Leaf also operates its own pre-treatment plant so
  that wastewater is pre-treated before it gets to Brandon’s facility.

   

• Brandon has access to the Maple Leaf pre-treatment
  plant for monitoring and has access to the Maple Leaf facility.

The agreement also states that when Maple Leaf seeks to
expand operations to two full shifts, Brandon will design, construct and
commission any necessary expansion at its facility. However, both parties must
reach a mutually satisfactory agreement on financing any expansion before it
occurs.

The Maple Leaf plant in Brandon has created 1400 direct
jobs in the community.

Maple Leaf has been processing hogs at the Brandon
facility since August 31, 1999. Maple Leaf selected Brandon for its
world-class, technologically advanced pork processing facility because of its
strategic location at the epicentre of Canadian hog production, abundant land,
excellent infrastructure, access to a quality workforce and proximity to
transportation routes.