Covert footage obtained from 15 dairy farms supplying Arla Foods in the United Kingdom has revealed multiple incidents of animal mistreatment, raising serious concerns about the welfare standards maintained by the country’s largest milk supplier. The recordings, gathered over the course of a year, depict workers engaging in physical abuse of cows and calves, as well as neglectful and unsanitary conditions, prompting calls for urgent investigations and greater oversight within the dairy industry.
The footage documents a range of disturbing behaviors including workers kicking cows lying on the ground, dragging weakened animals across concrete floors behind vehicles, and forcing calves to be separated from their mothers within minutes of birth—a practice that government guidance recommends scheduling at around 24 hours post-delivery. Scenes of farmhands urinating in animal pens and employing metal shackles to restrain cows on their way to milking parlors were also captured. One particularly alarming instance involved workers repeatedly attempting to remove a metal screw embedded in a cow’s eyelid without proper veterinary equipment or sedation.
The evidence was gathered by the Animal Justice Project, an advocacy organization that installed hidden cameras after receiving whistleblower reports and public complaints about the treatment of animals on Arla-associated farms. Their investigation spans 13 counties and includes farms supplying major retailers such as Tesco, Morrisons, and Starbucks.
Animal welfare experts who reviewed the material identified approximately 360 possible breaches of animal welfare law. They described the issues as systemic, with similar infringements observed repeatedly across multiple farms, suggesting a widespread problem rather than isolated incidents. Among the farms highlighted were two in Dorset owned by an Arla director, George Holmes, where workers were filmed physically assaulting cows and calves. Mr. Holmes, a board member since 2024, had testified to Parliament that his businesses adhere to the highest welfare standards.
Veterinary and animal welfare professionals expressed deep concern over the findings. Andrew Knight, a professor specializing in animal welfare, noted that while some practices—such as early calf separation—are permitted under current regulations, the footage indicates a failure by existing assurance systems to ensure good welfare. Jenny Mace, an academic expert, emphasized that the scale and repetition of violations suggest systemic issues with enforcement and industry self-regulation. She also criticized the practice of giving farms advance notice before inspections, arguing it undermines the effectiveness of welfare audits.
Retailers linked to the supply chain have responded by stating they take animal welfare seriously and are awaiting the results of Arla’s ongoing investigation. Arla Foods, a Denmark-based cooperative owned by over 11,000 farmers across seven countries, said it has launched an urgent inquiry and reiterated its commitment to animal welfare.
Industry representatives called for swift action to address the abuses and stressed the importance of immediate care for any suffering animals. Meanwhile, campaigners argue the revelations highlight the need for more stringent enforcement and transparency to ensure that dairy farming standards truly protect animal well-being across the UK.