Arla Foods has suspended milk collection from some UK farms after an investigation found what the dairy giant described as “unacceptable behaviour” towards cows.
The action follows undercover footage showing workers allegedly kicking animals on the ground, dragging them across concrete with farm vehicles and striking them with metal bars. Arla, which collects milk from about 2,400 British farms, has not disclosed how many holdings have been suspended.
The footage, recorded by the Animal Justice Project, also appeared to show a newborn calf being separated from its mother 25 minutes after birth and workers urinating in cow pens. Other scenes showed cows being led to a milking parlour in shackles and lying in straw contaminated with urine and faeces.
Tesco has separately confirmed that it suspended three farms supplying its milk: Oak Lodge in Leicestershire, Kingston Hill in Oxfordshire and Bramley in Northamptonshire. Morrisons said the footage was “deeply concerning”.
Investigation covered 15 Arla farms
The Animal Justice Project said it placed hidden cameras in ten barns during an investigation covering 15 Arla farms across 13 counties. The inquiry began after concerns were raised by whistleblowers and members of the public.
Claire Palmer, the group’s executive director, said: “This investigation is not about one farm or one worker losing their temper. Across 13 counties and 15 Arla farms, we documented the same problems again and again.”
The findings appear to conflict with Arla’s own standards, which include 100 rules intended to protect animal welfare and milk quality.
Arla said it was strengthening its animal welfare requirements by introducing compulsory annual animal-handling training for all farm staff, delivered by an external expert. It also said more unannounced audits would be carried out.
The company added that it had assessed a number of farms featured in the coverage where no specific animal welfare concerns had been raised, and had found no issues relating to the handling of animals.
Labour MP Kerry McCarthy has tabled a written question asking Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Dame Angela Eagle to investigate the alleged welfare breaches urgently.
Ms McCarthy said the dairy industry relied too heavily on self-reporting, adding: “Put simply, they have been allowed to get away with it for far too long. This is a wake-up call to improve welfare standards on British farms.”
