Continental Grain Company, shareholder of Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NYSE:SFD), is requesting the company to sell underperforming assets. Continental Grain holds 6% stake in Smithfield. Continental Grain said it is seeking to justify a business as usual approach despite destroying shareholder value. ContiGroup's proposals include splitting Smithfield into three independent companies by divesting 51% of hog production and select European assets, it also also suggests Smithfield continue to own its Campofrio stake and Mexican assets and institute an annual dividend. However, C. Larry Pope, Chief Executive Officer of Smithfield, said, "We believe that Continental Grain's analysis of the benefits of a divestiture of our hog production business and select European assets, which they have made before, is inherently flawed, based on an intensive and ongoing review of these and other alternatives by the board, management and our financial and legal advisors."

Continental Grain Company Presents at Agriculture Investment Summit Asia 2011, Oct-18-2011 10:50 AM. Venue: Grand Hyatt, Singapore, Singapore. Speakers: Nicholas W. Rosa, Senior Vice President of ContiAsia Division and Managing Director of ContiAsia Division.