The British Columbia dairy farm that was the source of an undercover video showing animal abuse responded today to news that dairy processor and distributor Saputo is not accepting its milk.
Chilliwack Cattle Sales co-owner Jeff Kooyman extended an open invitation to Saputo personnel to visit the farm and judge for themselves the level of animal care provided.
“This is a family farm started in the 1950s and we care deeply for our animals. We would love the opportunity to show this to Saputo and what measures have been put in place to ensure animal welfare,” Kooyman said in a news release.
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Part of the dairy operation, which is Canada’s largest at 3,500 animals, was the subject of a video compiled by Mercy for Animals Canada that showed employees beating dairy cattle and subjecting cows to other abuse. Farm owners have since fired the eight employees deemed responsible, and criminal charges are being considered.
While an SPCA investigation continues, Saputo said yesterday that it would not accept milk from the farm until it is sure that animal care is up to standard.
“Since Saputo learned of the animal abuse at the farm in British Columbia from which horrific images of cattle mistreatment were captured, the company has used its position as Canada’s largest milk processor to ensure the situation is being addressed and that such reprehensible behaviour, which offends not only Saputo’s values but also those of its consumers and customers, does not occur in the future,” the company said in a news release.
Saputo also said it supports recommendations to adopt the code of practice for the care and handling of dairy cattle into B.C. legislation. That recommendation has also been made by the B.C. SPCA and by Mercy for Animals Canada.
Chilliwack Cattle Sales is a family owned dairy farm established in 1957 by Leonard Kooyman. It is operated by his seven sons and their families.
Since the video became public, the Kooymans have installed video cameras in their barns and said they plan to implement an employee training program that includes guidance on animal welfare.
