Leprino Foods, the world’s largest mozzarella cheese maker
and a supplier to Pizza Hut, Domino’s, and Papa John’s restaurants, has just
announced the most comprehensive animal
welfare policy ever adopted by a major U.S. dairy
company. It includes an aggressive, industry-leading commitment to eliminate
tail docking, which will reduce the suffering of thousands of cows each year.
The precedent-setting policy was prompted by a shocking undercover
investigation by Mercy For Animals at Winchester
Dairy in New Mexico—at the time a supplier to Leprino Foods—which exposed
workers viciously punching and kicking cows, stabbing cows with screwdrivers,
whipping cows with chains and metal wires, shocking cows in their genitals, and
dragging sick and injured cows with tractors. Winchester
Dairy temporarily shut down after the
investigation.
Recognizing
the importance of meaningful animal welfare policies to prevent egregious abuse
in its supply chain, Leprino Foods is requiring its suppliers to abide by new
animal welfare standards:
- An end to the unnecessary and mutilating practice of tail docking cows by December 31, 2016 (the most aggressive tail docking phaseout ever by a major food company)
- Pain relief during disbudding or dehorning
- “Zero tolerance for malicious cruelty to cows and calves
- Provision of a safe, clean, and sanitary environment
- Proper veterinary care for sick and injured cows
- The establishment of an animal welfare advisory council
- Third-party auditing to ensure these standards are enforced
Nestlé and Great Lakes Cheese, two of the
largest dairy companies in the world, recently announced similar animal welfare
requirements after hidden-camera footage by MFA revealed horrific animal abuse
in their supply chains. With
these three announcements, 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 dairies
to stop dragging their feet and implement their own animal welfare guidelines
to reduce the pain and suffering that cows endure on factory farms.
Remember,
the most important action we can take to help farmed animals is to choose
healthy and humane vegan foods. Visit GotMisery.com now to take our veg pledge!