Today, Montreal-based
Saputo Inc., one
of the top 10 dairy processors in the world and the largest dairy company in Canada, announced important
plans to improve animal welfare across its entire global dairy supply chain
with an important new animal
welfare policy.
The policy follows a shocking undercover investigation by Mercy For Animals at Chilliwack Cattle Company, a Saputo dairy supplier in BC, which exposed workers viciously kicking, punching, beating, and hitting cows in the face and body with chains, canes, metal pipes, and rakes; workers poking and squeezing festering wounds and punching bulls in the testicles; and workers using chains and tractors to lift sick and injured cows by their necks.
The policy follows a shocking undercover investigation by Mercy For Animals at Chilliwack Cattle Company, a Saputo dairy supplier in BC, which exposed workers viciously kicking, punching, beating, and hitting cows in the face and body with chains, canes, metal pipes, and rakes; workers poking and squeezing festering wounds and punching bulls in the testicles; and workers using chains and tractors to lift sick and injured cows by their necks.
Recognizing the importance of
meaningful animal welfare policies to prevent egregious abuse in its supply
chain, Saputo is now requiring its global dairy suppliers to abide by new
animal welfare standards. The Saputo Animal Welfare Policy stipulates:
- Zero tolerance for any malicious act of animal cruelty
- A commitment to eliminating the cruel and unnecessary practice of tail docking
- Administration of pain control when dehorning or disbudding cattle
- Low-energy animal handling to reduce stress, particularly in non-ambulatory cows
Nestlé, Leprino
Foods, and Great Lakes Cheese, three of the largest dairy companies in the world, also recently
announced similar animal welfare requirements after hidden-camera footage by MFA
revealed horrific animal abuse in their supply chains.
MFA praises Saputo for working
toward ending some of the cruelest practices in its global dairy supply chain, such
as tail docking and dehorning without painkillers, as well as curbing malicious
animal abuse. It’s heartening to see Saputo step up to the plate and utilize its
power and influence within the dairy industry to improve the lives of animals.
We hope other dairy corporations will quickly follow suit.
With Saputo’s announcement, it’s never been clearer that the
days are numbered for dairy factory farms that beat and drag cows, and mutilate
them without painkillers. It’s now time for Dean Foods, Land O’Lakes, and other
mega dairy companies to stop dragging their feet and implement meaningful
animal welfare standards of their own.
While
Saputo’s announcement means millions of animals around the world will gain some
relief from suffering, there is still much work to be done. Remember, the most
important action we can take to help farmed animals is to choose healthy and
humane vegan foods. Visit ChooseVeg.com
for dairy-free recipes, tips, and meal ideas.