The charity Animal Justice Project photographed and filmed cows being kicked, punched and struck with pipes and electric goads, and new-born calves being force-fed, slapped and separated from their mothers within minutes of birth.
Lowfields Farm in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, houses more than 2,000 cows and is a supplier of dairy co-operative Arla, which has subsequently suspended its relationship with the farm.
The Advocates for Animals law firm, which represents Animal Justice Project, has claimed that the footage showcases “serious breaches of law and non-compliance with the Defra Code” and has filed a complaint with North Yorkshire County Council Trading Standards.
Food Manufacture has reached out to Lowfields Farm and Arla Foods for comment.
‘Shocking cruelty’
Claire Palmer, director of Animal Justice Project, said that the investigation “exposes shocking cruelty” inflicted on cows and calves, but also the “brutal, hidden reality these animals face daily”.
“Crucially, this was not the misconduct of a single worker; abuse was systemic, involving all staff, including the farm manager,” Palmer continued.
“This indicates that mistreatment was not only routine but also tolerated and ingrained within the farm’s operations, raising serious concerns about Arla’s standards and oversight.”
Meanwhile, the former UK Government deputy chief veterinary officer, Alick Simmons, described the footage as “deeply concerning”.
“The footage reveals incidents of animal mistreatment on a large-scale dairy farm,” Simmons added.
“The repeated use of sticks, plastic piping, and electric goads – often applied excessively and inappropriately – demonstrates a complete disregard for animal welfare. Scenes of cows being beaten, kicked, and subjected to forceful handling, along with evidence of severe lameness and distressed calves, suggest systemic failures in training, supervision, and welfare compliance.
“Several instances captured in the video appear to constitute breaches of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and warrant urgent regulatory investigation. That such abuses occurred at a farm linked to a company presenting itself as an industry leader raises serious questions about oversight and accountability.”
Footage captured during the investigation can be viewed on the Animal Justice Project website.
