Arla Foods has suspended a dairy farmer following the release of undercover footage by the Animal Justice Project that allegedly depicts instances of animal cruelty on a supplying farm.
The footage, which has drawn widespread attention, shows distressing scenes of cows being mistreated, raising serious concerns about animal welfare standards within the dairy industry.
The investigation was prompted by video evidence that reportedly shows cows being physically abused, including being kicked and struck with electric goads, as well as standing in unsanitary conditions. The footage also highlights injured cows struggling to walk, suggesting potential violations of animal transport laws.
An Arla spokesperson stated, “Animal welfare is of the utmost importance, and we take a zero-tolerance approach. The actions shown in this footage are completely unacceptable and do not meet the high standards that we expect from our farmers”.
The spokesperson confirmed that the individuals involved in the alleged mistreatment are no longer employed at the farm, but noted that the farmer has been suspended pending further investigation.
The Animal Justice Project has condemned the findings as indicative of systemic issues within the UK dairy sector. Alick Simmons, a former UK government veterinary director, characterised the footage as “deeply concerning,” noting that the excessive use of electric goads reflects a troubling disregard for animal welfare.
Lowfields Farm, which is home to over 2,000 zero-grazed dairy cows and produces approximately 273,000 liters of milk weekly, is also certified by the Red Tractor assurance scheme.
A spokesperson for Red Tractor confirmed that an independent assessor was dispatched to the farm within eight hours of the footage’s release to investigate the reported misconduct. The inspection verified that all individuals identified in the footage have been dismissed from their positions.
To further safeguard animal welfare, Red Tractor has mandated additional training for remaining staff at Lowfields Farm. However, as of now, the farm has not been suspended from the assurance scheme, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
As the dairy industry grapples with increasing scrutiny over animal welfare practices, this incident highlights the critical need for robust oversight and accountability measures. Arla’s swift response underscores the company’s commitment to addressing these serious allegations while navigating the complexities of maintaining high standards in dairy production.
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