Business · Companies · 20 hrs ago
Arla suspends milk collection from some farms after animal cruelty footage
Arla Foods has suspended milk collection from some UK farms after an investigation documented workers mistreating cows.
The footage, recorded by the Animal Justice Project, covered 15 Arla farms across 13 counties and showed cows being kicked, beaten and dragged.
Arla said its own investigation confirmed unacceptable behaviour, but did not say how many farms it had suspended.
Tesco suspended three farms supplying its milk, in Leicestershire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire.
The footage raised questions about how well animal welfare rules are enforced, as Arla has 100 standards for its farmers and a Labour MP said the industry relies heavily on self-reporting.
Arla plans more unannounced audits and mandatory staff training on handling animals.
Environment Secretary Angela Eagle has been asked to investigate the welfare breaches.
Arla Foods has suspended milk collection from some farms after an investigation into animal cruelty footage.
The footage, filmed by the Animal Justice Project, showed workers kicking and beating cows and dragging them with farm vehicles.
Arla said its investigation confirmed “unacceptable behaviour” but did not say how many farms were suspended.
Tesco also suspended three farms supplying its milk: Oak Lodge in Leicestershire, Kingston Hill in Oxfordshire and Bramley in Northamptonshire.
Arla said it was strengthening animal welfare measures, including mandatory annual handling training and more unannounced audits.
- Who
- Arla Foods, a major British dairy producer, suspended milk collection from some farms.
- What
- The suspensions followed footage showing alleged cruelty to cows. Tesco also suspended three farms supplying its milk.
- When
- The story was published on 7 November 2026, after a report the previous week.
- Where
- Farms in the UK; the investigation covered 15 Arla farms across 13 counties.
- Why
- Arla said its investigation confirmed unacceptable behaviour after footage showed workers mistreating animals.
Animal Justice Project
Arla Foods
Animal welfare findings
Animal Justice Project
The group said it documented repeated problems across 15 Arla farms in 13 counties.
Arla Foods
Arla said it had assessed some farms featured in the coverage and found no specific animal welfare concerns there.
Response to the footage
Animal Justice Project
The group’s investigation showed workers mistreating cows and raised concerns about farm welfare.
Arla Foods
Arla said it was strengthening welfare measures through annual staff training and more unannounced audits.
The Mail on Sunday reported on footage showing workers mistreating cows.
Arla launched its own investigation, which it said confirmed unacceptable behaviour.
Arla’s suspension of milk collection from some farms was reported, and Tesco confirmed it had suspended three supplying farms.
- Arla farms investigated
- 15
- Counties covered
- 13
- Farms supplying Tesco suspended
- 3
- Tesco-suspended farms
- Oak Lodge, Leicestershire; Kingston Hill, Oxfordshire; Bramley, Northamptonshire
- Arla UK farm network
- 2,400 farms
What people are saying
This investigation is not about one farm or one worker losing their temper. Across 13 counties and 15 Arla farms, we documented the same problems again and again.
Put simply, they have been allowed to get away with it for far too long. This is a wake-up call to improve welfare standards on British farms.
deeply concerning