PS 5: Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement does not apply as no new land will be acquired and therefore no physical resettlement and/or economic displacement will happen during this investment. Presence of Indigenous People (PS7) and Cultural Heritage (PS8) has not been identified within the existing footprint of Zambeef operations. If issues anticipated by these PSs arise, Zambeef will promptly inform IFC.

 This is a Category B project, according to IFC’s 2012 Environmental and Social Sustainability Policy as the E&S risks and impacts with this project are limited, site-specific, and can be readily addressed through generally accepted mitigation measures described in this document. As this is the third IFC investment with Zambeef, this client has achieved compliance with national legal and regulatory requirements and IFC’s Performance Standards (PSs). Zambeef has demonstrated corporate commitment and capacity toward meeting IFC PSs, including implementation of the 2012 and 2016 agreed upon E&S Action Plan (ESAP), through the establishment of an Environment and Technical Services department. The next phase of Zambeef’s sustainability workplan in meeting national and IFC PSs requirements is the final roll-out and implementation of Food Safety (ISO 22000), supply chain, occupational health and safety, and agronomic (farming) and animal welfare management system, including procedures and certification.

Key EHS issues for this project include the implementation effectiveness of the EHS, HR, and food safety management systems, including risk assessment and procedures in the current operations and during expansion and operational phase; supply chain management, including incidence of child and/or forced labor, OHS risks and biodiversity risk screening of third-party suppliers of corn and broilers based on traceability of farms, resource efficiency related to water and energy consumption; community health, safety and security issues, including bio-safety protocol and use of transport; and implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for farming operations and animal welfare guidelines, including achieving certification.

Environmental and Social Assessment and Management System. The Company has adopted an environmental policy in June 2009 which was reviewed in 2016. This policy commits Zambeef to provide a safe and healthy workplace, protect the environment, and being a responsible corporate citizen within the communities where it operates. Going forward, Zambeef will review its E&S policy to specifically refer to IFC PSs and WBG EHS Guidelines as performance-based requirements above and beyond national legal and regulatory requirements (ESAP#1). To accelerate the implementation of EHS and food safety management systems across all its operations, the company has developed an E&S strategic plan for 2022-26. A food safety management system (FSMS), based on ISO22000, has been rolled out in several food processing operations, resulting in three plants (Masterpork pig processing, Zamchick poultry processing and Zammilk dairy processing) achieving certification in 2021; Novatek Lusaka operation has been certified in 2018. There are plans to certify the beef abattoir and flour mill at Huntley and, the broiler farms in Mpongwe in 2023. The 2022-26 strategic plan also promotes the effective use of management systems to improve E&S performance and has prioritized ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System for Beef Processing, Mill, Zammilk, Zamchick Processing and Masterpork for 2022; ISO 14064:2018 Quantification & Reporting of GHG Emissions & Removal; ISO 39001:2011 Road Transport Safety Management System and ISO45000 certification for all its operations for 2024. The company is yet to obtain Global GAP standards for its farming and livestock operations. As part of this proposed project, Zambeef will obtain Global GAP for farming and livestock standards certification for the three farms and the poultry, dairy, and cattle operations in Huntley and Mpongwe farms as part of ESAP#16.

Identification of Risks and Impacts. The Company ensures that all greenfield projects are subjected to an ESIA prepared against national legal and regulatory requirements, IFC PSs and WBG (General and Sector-Specific) EHS Guidelines. As part of this proposed project, Zambeef has commissioned ESIA for the mill and the temperature-controlled broiler farms. The ESIA for the broiler housing and cheese processing plants at Huntley are yet to be commissioned. Potential E&S risks and impacts of all Zambeef’s operations are therefore identified, assessed, and tabulated, and for each impact, a series of recommended enhancement or mitigation actions and timetable are proposed. Based on supportive evidence received during this appraisal, mitigation measures are effectively implemented and are effective. The company maintains a legal register and all Zambeef operations are in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. CAPEX/OPEX has been confirmed during this appraisal to ensure that EHS mitigation measures are effectively implemented going forward for the proposed assets within this investment.

Organizational Capacity and Competency: Zambeef has created a corporate level environment and technical department headed by a Senior Manager, who reports to the CEO. The Senior Manager is assisted by a community engagement coordinator, an EHS specialist, responsible for OHS audits, assisted by plant-level EHS officers, a health Manager, responsible for animal health and welfare, food safety and pest control, and an environment manager. As part of this project, Zambeef will hire a Global GAP specialist to ensure all the relevant farm and livestock operations are Global GAP certified (ESAP#2). In addition, plant-level EHS specialist for the new operations under this proposed financing will be recruited (ESAP#2). The Senior Manager coordinates the implementation of EHS-related SOPs, EHS training and EHS monitoring and reporting across all class of assets. The company develops and implements an annual EHS training program. The training topics are informed by risk assessments, changes in legal and regulatory requirements, findings of internal/external audits, and company policy timelines.

Emergency preparedness and response plan: The emergency response procedure for Zambeef is aimed at planning in advance, train employees and prevent as much as practicable emergencies originating from its operations. To enable rapid and effective response to emergency situations, Zambeef has developed and maintains site specific emergency response procedures, applicable to all employees, contractors, and visitors including an E&S risk register. Similar emergency response procedures will be developed for the proposed operations under this investment and will include identification of areas where accidents and emergency situations may occur, individuals and communities that may be impacted, response procedures, provision of equipment and resources, designation of responsibilities, communication plan, including with potentially affected communities, and periodic training to ensure effective response (ESAP#3).

Monitoring and Reporting. Monitoring and reporting for the proposed new operations will be part of Zambeef’s E&S management systems, which include internal EHS inspections performed monthly by the EHS specialist, while external audits (regular and follow-up certification audit) are performed annually and every two years respectively by registered and accredited ISO consultants. The audit reports, incorporating corrective actions, as needed, are submitted to senior operations teams who are responsible for budget approval for the effective and timely implementation of the corrective actions. Zambian authorities (OHS inspectors, ZEMA, etc.) receive annual updates on Zambeef’s’ EHS performance on effluent discharges, noise, air emissions, chemical storage, generation & storage of hazardous waste and OHS requirements, including accident rates (lost-time accidents) which are monitored and reported regularly. Based on information provided during appraisal, Zambeef did not incur over the last three years any material regulatory penalties, fines or sanctions for contraventions or non-compliance with statutory obligations, as well as not reported any fatalities on sites at any of its operations. The director of environment and technical services, has the overall responsibility for the development and implementation of the monitoring plans, including reviewing/analysing monitoring data and the preparation of consolidated monitoring reports. The reports are presented to the Board sub-committee quarterly and annually to relevant Zambian authorities, and lenders.

Supply Chain Risk Assessment & Management. Zambeef’s vertical integrated structure makes it possible for self-sufficiency in raw materials and, as such, minimizes E&S risk exposure from sourcing from its third-party suppliers.

Zambeef currently purchase 70% of its broilers from out-growers, 100% of cattle from traders and farmers; 85% of domestic pig from commercial and smallholder farmers and 80% of maize and soya beans are from aggregators and smallholder at farm gate. Its supply chain encompasses more than 81,000 farmers across all its business lines. There are other suppliers to its business operations, e.g., vitamin/mineral premixes that are imported from Cargill, the parent stock of the day-old-chicks (DOC) that are obtained from Ross. The number of third-party suppliers is expected to raise with the proposed new investments. While Zambeef has a supply chain sourcing policy, going forward, the company will develop and implement a Supplier Code of Conduct (ESAP #4) and supply chain management system which will provide guidance on procurement requirements to ensure compliance of suppliers and out-growers with IFC PS’s PS2/PS6 supply chain requirements. The Code will encompass the following steps: (i) initial screening of all agro-commodities sourced by Zambeef against IFCs PSs supply chain requirements (harmful child/forced labor, significant OHS risks and risk of conversion of natural/critical habitats leading to biodiversity loss) to identify E&S risk factors, assess the materiality of the risks, and potential risk mitigation strategies; (ii) establishment of supplier database/mapping and supplier due diligence methodology using tailored geo-reference platform and E&S questionnaire, to support evidence of suppliers compliance with risk filters outlined in Zambeef’s Supplier Code of Conduct; (iii) legal representation of each third-party supplier through signing the Supplier Code of Conduct, including development and enforcement of contractual provisions by Zambeef’s sourcing team; (iv) annual independent verification of sample of third-party suppliers.

As part of this project, Zambeef will strengthen its contextual level screening and its pre-appraisal risk screening procedures applicable to PS2/PS6 supply chain requirements through using country, commodity level risks screening (e.g., IBAT, Global Forest Watch) to further support a risk-based approach to avoid social and deforestation risk in its commodities supply chain (ESAP#5). Zambeef will then use the risk assessment’s results to inform its sustainability sourcing strategies including achieving full traceability of its supply chain. In addition, Zambeef will select and implement digital mapping of the perimeters of all its poultry out-growers, livestock, and maize farmers (ESAP#6) as part of the traceability and risk screening platform. The digitalization of these farms will validate avoidance into National Parks, Protected Forest and Key Biodiversity Areas and recently converted natural habitat using Global Gap’s 2014 as cut-off date. The digital platform will also capture socio-economic data (e.g., number of children, proximity to school) to prevent any risk of harmful child and forced labor. Upon selection of a suitable digital platform, Zambeef sourcing team will roll out the tool through farmer’s onboarding session and field survey.

Human Resources Policies and Procedures. Zambeef has a corporate Human Resources (HR) Policy revised in 2021, which applies to all its operations, and set out the main policies and procedures that guide human resources management. The policy relates to equal opportunities, workplace harassment, code of ethics, employees’ benefits, disciplinary policy, leave entitlements, environmental & occupational health and safety, and workers grievance procedure. The policies are consistent with the requirements of this PS2 and labor laws and managed by an HR function, led by a Director.

Working Conditions and Terms of Employment. Zambeef’s overall total labor force increased from 5,474 during IFC’s second investment in 2012 to 6,200 employees currently, of which 14% are women. Going forward, the Company will strengthen its recruitment and retention of women talent strategy and actions, including exploring employment and career opportunity barriers for women (ESAP#7). During harvesting operations, temporary workers are hired to supplement the workforce. With the proposed IFC investment, the overall number of direct workers is expected to increase by about 100. To operationalize its HR policy, the company has developed a procedure for each policy; equal opportunity and non-discrimination, recruitment, remuneration, allowances and benefits, training, leave, disciplinary code and grievance handling procedure, occupational health and safety, gender-based violence and sexual harassment, working hours & overtime and termination. The procedures are issued to all employees, during the induction period and continuous awareness training to workers is taken place to ensure compliance with Zambian labor laws and PS2 requirements.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity: Zambeef is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate employees based on age, disability, race, or sex. The HR policy clearly specifies that same work shall attract equal pay. Zambeef does not employ child or forced labor in its operations, as National Registration Cards (NRCs) are used to verify age at the time of recruitment.

Workers Organizations and Workers Grievance Mechanism: The HR policy is explicit on workers’ rights to join unions of their choice. About 90% of the workers are unionized and Zambeef has a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Grain and Meat Workers of Zambia (GMWZ). Zambeef has established a workers’ disciplinary code and grievance handling procedure that fits all its operations. This procedure is part of the HR Manual, issued to every employee. The procedure is clear, provides for documented grievance reporting, alternative handling methods, regular meeting and feedback to claimants and appeal options. This mechanism is commensurate with the nature of Zambeef’s operations, enables traceability (and anonymity, if requested) and is consistent with PS2 requirements. The company has provided suggestion boxes as an anonymous grievance mechanism.

Retrenchment: The Company has a retrenchment policy which is being implemented, as needed. The company initiated the process of exiting the Nkumba piggery farm in 2021 and will hand over all the workers to the new owner by September 2022. Zambeef informed all affected employees of this development through meetings addressed by HR function and the Union. The affected employees were issued with letters of notice to retrench, explaining the situation and what payments are due to them as per local labor law. IFC is satisfied that the retrenchment process was conducted in line with PS2 requirements. No further retrenchment is anticipated.

Workers Engaged by Third Parties: The construction of the greenfield assets will involve the use of third-party contractor workers. Zambeef has Contractor Guidelines which specify contractor code of conduct and includes induction training of contractors on labor/OHS policy, including grievance mechanism. The code of conduct communicates Zambeef’s expectations on the contractor roles when operating in the Company’s premises on labor and OHS practices and requires facility managers to ensure that contractors are aware of and comply with the obligations of the code of conduct, which also includes assessment of risk on child and forced labor. The plant-level EHS specialist has the responsibility to ensure Contractor Code of Conduct and Guidelines are effectively adhered to.

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS): Zambeef, through its Health and Safety policy, commits the company to take all practical steps to ensure safe working conditions for its workers, contractors, and third-party suppliers. The company uses Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Control Procedure to identify OHS risks at facility level. Each facility ensures that the risk management requirements are appropriately implemented by undertaking both internal and external assurance activities, discussing any OHS concerns with staff in committee meetings and investigating incidents and implementing resulting corrective or preventive actions. A training plan has also been established requiring all staff to undergo an OHS induction training followed up with a yearly refresh training. Visitors are only allowed at the site after an introductory safety instruction. Incidents and/or accidents are reported and investigated as per internal procedures. No significant OHS events occurred in 2021 and there were no fatalities. The company’s lost time frequency rate (LTIFR) of 6.3 in 2021 is lower than the 2013 US benchmarks for the sector (i.e., LTIFR 7.5 poultry and egg production). The E&S strategy 2022-26 commits Zambeef to ISO45001 certify all its operations by 2023. Same requirement will be applicable for the proposed new operations (ESAP #8).

Workers’ welfare is further enhanced by ensuring that canteens, gender-sensitive change rooms with sanitary fittings, and personnel protective equipment (PPE), are provided.

COVID-19 Measures: Zambeef has implemented several COVID-19 response measures for its operations including: social distancing, provision of masks, cleaning and disinfecting in line with governmental public health requirements. There has been no significant health impact so far due to the pandemic and minimal recorded cases of COVID-19 among its workforce. More than 90% of the workers are vaccinated.

Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Like the current Zambeef facilities, the proposed operations will use energy from the national grid supplemented by emergency back-up generators used in case of power outage. Energy consumption (electricity, fuel) is closely monitored and recorded at all facilities. As part of the energy efficiency measures for its poultry operation, the company is rolling out temperature-controlled housing (as part of this project). Energy efficient measures at the feed mills is through regular servicing of machines as specified by the manufacturers Based on these designs, the increase of the use of energy is expected not to be significant even after the proposed expansion. Zambeef commissioned a consultant to undertake an energy efficiency audit for Masterpork, Huntley, Kalundu Dairy and Mpongwe Farms, to inform the installation of hybrid system which includes solar PVC. As part of this project, the company will implement the audit findings which were deferred due to COVID pandemic (ESAP #9).

Green House Gases. Current GHG emissions from the existing operations (based on electricity and fuels from gensets and fleet) have been estimated to approximately 20,046 metric tons CO2-equivalent per year (Scope 1 and 2). Additional GHG emissions, due to the proposed expansion, are not expected to be significant and total GHG emissions for Zambeef should remain below 25,000 tons of CO2-equivalent per year. The company is conducting a carbon footprint study of all the company's operations to define GHG reduction target at corporate and operation-level. Zambeef started data collection for GHG emission (Scope 1 and 2) calculations for each operation in 2021 and as part of IFC Advisory Program Zambeef started Scope 3 baseline assessment as defined its E&S Strategic Plan for 2022-26 on water and energy use, including GHGs reduction. The company is also applying FAO’s Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model (GLEAM) for its livestock production operations.

Air emissions monitoring. Main sources of air emissions from the current Zambeef operations include the coal fired boiler at Novatek which produce steam for the feed mills, incinerators, and gensets that burn diesel to produce electricity during electricity outages. The proposed operations under this investment will have similar air emission sources. Currently, the generators and boilers undergo periodic maintenance audits in accordance with manufactures requirements to optimize efficiency. Given their size (below 3 MWh) and frequency of usage (less than 500 hours per year), stack air emissions from its generators are not measured. The company submits point source air emissions, dust, and noise level to ZEMA for all its operations every six months as a statutory requirement. Going forward, Zambeef will include point source air emissions monitoring from the proposed new operations. The latest report (December 2021) on gas, dust and noise measurements indicates that emission levels for CO2, SO2 and NOx during normal operations were within Zambian Maximum Acceptable Concentration (ZMAC) and WBG EHS Guidelines levels for all facilities. ZEMA has issued certificate of compliance for all facilities.

Water use and efficiency. Zambeef’s farming operations (maize, soya beans and wheat) consist of approximately 12,350 ha rain fed and 5,000 ha irrigated land available for planting each year. These cropping activities under pivot irrigation consume large volumes of water. Water for irrigation is either from rivers or boreholes. All operations have in place approved water rights issued by the relevant Water Boards. Zambeef has a program to monitor surface water (permit requirement) and groundwater abstraction (regulation requirements) volumes and verify against permit requirements using installed flow meters in all its water sources. As part of a climate change risk assessment, Zambeef in collaboration with CDC and IFC initiated studies on the amount of water used in all its farms to certify its farms against the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS).

As part of this project, Zambeef has proposed an expansion of the center pivot irrigation system for its Mpongwe farm with 1,000 ha obtaining water from boreholes. While Zambeef commissioned an assessment and prediction of water yields, including a quantitative evaluation of the effects of climate change and land use changes on the hydrogeological resources in the Mpongwe region, the company will further obtain quantitative information on the water balance for the Mpongwe study area, the design of the irrigation system and groundwater wells, to determine the sustainability of groundwater abstraction in the Mpongwe area (ESAP #10).

Process water for the cheese plant, chicken slaughterhouse and poultry processing facilities will be treated and filtered to WHO water quality standards for potable and process water as part of the FSMS, which is currently under implementation in all food processing plants. Process water is monitored daily.

Solid Waste Management. Zambeef, has a corporate-level Waste Management Strategy and applies site specific waste management techniques that are consistent with GIIPs at all its new projects. The proposed new operations are expected to produce a wide range of solid waste: solid wastes from farm operations (layers and hatchery, and cattle units) and domestic waste from the mill and cheese plant. Management of these wastes will follow the existing strategy to incinerate in-situ or composting as way of recycling waste. There is a new composting site in Mpongwe. As a statutory requirement Zambeef compiles and submits to ZEMA a report on type of solid waste generated, associated quantities and method of storage, handling and/or treatment, biannually.

Hazardous Waste. Hazardous waste from this investment includes used oil, used batteries, empty pesticide and herbicide containers, paint containers and medical waste from clinics. These will be stored in designated areas and disposed by licensed services providers which undergo a due diligence process as defined in the Waste Management Strategy. The Company has protocols on transportation, storage, and use of acids, alkalis, solvents, and pesticides. As a Group’s standard, used oil is recycled via the oil suppliers and used batteries are recycled via ZEMA approved collectors.

Effluent Management. Currently, the company has constructed on-site Effluent Treatment Plants (“ETPs”) and stabilization ponds for its abattoirs and leather factory, including a monitoring system for BOD, COD, TDS, NO2, NO3, etc. Data is reported to ZEMA every six month. The company has been in compliance with both national and WBG EHS parameters thresholds. Zambeef will ensure the proposed greenfield assets (e.g., slaughterhouse and beef abattoir, cheese plant) will have on-site wastewater treatment (WWT) plants whose technical specifications and performance will be meeting WBG EHS Guidelines (ESAP#11).

Pest management and control. The Company will continue to use its Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the proposed farming operations. The IPM is consistent with WBG EHS Guidelines (Annual Crop). Zambeef prohibit the use of pesticide classified as WHO Class Ia or Class Ib for its operations. Purchasing of pesticides for the Group operations has been centralized and Zambeef continues to use pesticides that are registered with ZEMA. At the feed mills’ warehouses, fumigation is carried out using phosphine or hydrogen phosphate (PH3). At the Zambeef outlets/shops, fumigation is carried out quarterly and crops are sprayed, as when needed. The company uses its own trained staff and licensed service providers to inspect, manage and monitor conduct rodent control pests in all Zambeef’s operations.

Key community health, safety and security identified issues from the proposed new operations include those related to food safety, spread of animal diseases, traffic related with large transport fleet with excess of 250 vehicles, life and fire safety, and security personnel.

Food safety. As noted above in PS1 section, the company managed to obtain ISO22000 Food Safety Management System certification for Masterpork pig processing, Zamchick poultry processing and Zammilk dairy processing in 2021 while Novetek feed mill was certified in 2018. There are plans to certify the poultry slaughterhouse, beef abattoir, mill, cheese plant, and the broiler farm in 2023 (ESAP#12). The company has produced Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manuals that are currently being implemented across all the relevant Group operations. In addition, Zambeef has effectively implemented all the corrective actions related to food safety which were identified in an audit in 2016. As required, the company has established microbiological laboratory in all facilities, which has enhanced the frequency of monitoring of products along the production line to ensure food safety. Medical examination for food handlers in all food production operations are conducted regularly in compliance with the Zambian Food Legislation and produced negative results.

Fleet management. Zambeef proposes to increase its fleet as part of the project. The new fleet will be managed using the current fleet management system supervised by the Group Logistics Manager assisted by facility specific logistics manager. All vehicles are fitted with tracking system and can be centrally monitored, and 28 trucks have so far been fitted with within cabin cameras. The company has a driver’s training manager who ensures continuous training of drivers and uses data from incidents to inform the curriculum. The vehicles are serviced internally, and the company assess the age of the fleet and are regularly replaced. Road traffic accidents and incidents are recorded, investigated, and reported. As indicated above, Zambeef’ will obtain ISO 39001:2011 Road Transport Safety Management System by 2024 for all its operations as outlined in the E&S strategic plan for 2022-26 (ESAP#13).

Life and fire safety (L&FS). The proposed flour mill silos, and, to a lesser extent, its farms’ operations are associated with fire and explosion risks. The company will ensure all new facilities (farms, retail outlets and feed mills) have fire prevention policy, procedures and have fire suppression equipment (ESAP#14) like the current facilities and workers are trained and participate in fire drills conducted once per year in coordination with the local fire brigades. The company will submit and obtain approval from the planning authorities for all its new buildings in accordance with national legal and regulatory requirements on L&FS aspects. In addition to the requirement for statutory approval for all new developments, the company’s premises will be inspected on an annual basis by respective local fire authorities and issue an annual fire certificate. The fire certificate is a prerequisite for the annual business permit renewals.

Security Personnel. Zambeef has a Security Management Framework (SMF) which is aligned with PS4, and guides the management of over 500 security guards, for its internal security and administered by Group Security Officer. The SMF provides for guards’ recruitment process, training and monitoring of both performance and the third-party contractors. In addition, the company used external security arrangements from licensed third-party contractors specifically for cash in transit, alarm response and night guarding of Zambeef outlets shops. These third-party guards are sometimes armed depending on the level of risks.

The Huntley farm occurs in the Zambezian-Limpopo mixed woodlands ecoregion and overlaps the Chisamba Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). The KBA is a mix of modified farmland (crops, intensive poultry) and natural habitats maintained for livestock. No new land conversion will occur as part of IFC’s investment. Consultation with the KBA partner, Birdwatch Zambia, is ongoing. Zambeef has an existing collaboration with Birdwatch Zambia.

Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources. In accordance with the IFC Good Practice Note (GPN) on Improving Animal Welfare in Livestock Operations (2014), IFC shall only engage with clients that are compliant to OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) Guidelines. IFC’s scope of appraisal included verification of compliance of Zambeef animal welfare management practices with the OIE Guidelines. Zambeef complies with these guidelines. Zambeef has in place protocols on biosecurity, as well as defined guidance on the use of antibiotic treatments.

Going forward, Zambeef will undergo a comprehensive IFC’s HACCP-methodology based Biosecurity, Animal Husbandry/Welfare and Use of Antibiotics (BAWA) Audit Protocol leading to the development of BAWA management system at corporate and farm-level (ESAP#15). Zambeef shall certify its animal husbandry/welfare management practices against a recognized certification standard benchmarked against GIIP for all farms going forward (e.g., Global GAP for Livestock) (ESAP#16).

Biosafety. Zambeef has a Biosecurity procedure and a well-structured vaccination and monitoring programs to cater for any outbreaks of virulent strains for other diseases for poultry, piggery, and cattle. Zambeef has a corporate level veterinary doctor responsible for the biosecurity and site-specific personnel responsible for the care and management of the different animals and are continuously trained to identify normal health and recognize poor health and welfare. Animals are inspected regularly, at least daily, and more frequently during period of significant risk to health and welfare. Bio-security procedures include geographical isolation of the farms, including 2 km buffer zone, limited controlled site access and suitable infrastructures (e.g., high concrete fences); entrance gates with vehicle disinfection areas, cleaning and disinfection procedures for visitors, materials, and tools (e.g., foot disinfection at the entrance of sites/houses), control of pathogen vectors (rodents, insects), and organic waste management. Workers’ clothes are kept clean, shoes are scrubbed with disinfectant, and hands are washed. As part of its bio-security procedures, any sick or dead animal is removed and reported to the veterinarian, for immediate postmortem. The company is enhancing its biosafety standards and has initiated a process to establish compartments (based on management practices and biosecurity) within its farms. This will facilitate international markets for its products.