Farmer suspended after claims of dairy cow abuse

A farmer has been suspended from supplying milk to the UK's largest dairy company after secret filming seemingly showed cows being kicked, beaten and struck with apparent electric goads.

Video of the actions by employees at Lowfields Farm in Northallerton was captured by an undercover worker for the welfare group Animal Justice Project.

It appears to show dead calves left in the open as well as cows, struggling to walk, being forced onto transport trucks.

A spokesperson for the farm declined to comment, with dairy processor Arla telling the BBC the farmer had been suspended while the matter is investigated further.

"The individuals in the video are no longer employed at the farm," Arla said.

During the undercover investigation, which was prompted by an anonymous tip-off, the footage seemingly captured cows being kicked, punched, and struck with pipes.

An Arla spokesperson for the company said the actions shown in the footage were "completely unacceptable and do not meet the high standards that we expect from our farmers".

They added: "Animal welfare is of the utmost importance and we take a zero-tolerance approach. We take any matters relating to this extremely seriously."

Speaking to the BBC, the undercover worker claimed that cows were mistreated from "the very first shift".

He said: "The group of cows are milked three times a day on rotational shifts and every single shift cows get hit and beaten."

The video footage showed what appeared to be "routine cruelty to cows and calves, unsanitary conditions, and a lack of enforcement", Animal Justice Project said.

The welfare group claimed it also "uncovered overcrowding, with sheds designed for 125 cows crammed with up to 214, forcing animals to stand in their own waste."

Edie Bowles, solicitor for Advocates for Animals, said: "Legal protections are in place to protect farmed animals from exactly this, so why does the footage indicate that the keepers of these dairy cows are able to behave this way on a seemingly regular basis in front of one another?

"Is it the case that the laws that protect animals are not taken seriously?"

The farm in North Yorkshire had been Red Tractor certified, meaning the milk has been deemed to have been produced in accordance with British standards.

In a statement, Red Tractor said it took "animal welfare extremely seriously".

"Within eight hours of Red Tractor receiving the footage, an independent assessor was on the farm to investigate this unacceptable behaviour by farm workers.

"This inspection confirmed all individuals identified mistreating animals no longer work on the farm."

Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond, said: "Some of the images in the video are shocking and I am glad to hear that the individuals featured are no longer working at Lowfields Farm.

"I look forward to a speedy outcome of the Arla investigation."

Karl Battersby, North Yorkshire Council's corporate director of environment, said: "We are carrying out an investigation about alleged serious animal mistreatment at Lowfields Farm in Northallerton.

"As this is a live case, we are unable to comment further at this stage."

An RSPCA spokesperson said: "This is incredibly distressing and completely unacceptable behaviour.

"All farmed animals must be treated with respect."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.