Progress! Saputo Adopts Global Animal Welfare Policy After MFA Investigation

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.

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.