An investigation has been launched after undercover footage allegedly showed dairy cows being punched, slapped, kicked and otherwise mistreated at an award-winning farm in Essex that supplies milk to both Tesco and dairy producer Müller.
The footage, filmed secretly at Albyns Farm near Loughton, was provided to The Independent by animal activist and filmmaker Joey Carbstrong. According to the report, workers were seen kicking cows in the face and body, striking them repeatedly, twisting their tails and using sharp implements to force them to move. One clip allegedly showed a man pressing a lit cigarette against a cow’s face.
The farm, which keeps around 700 dairy cows on land owned by the Crown Estate, is a member of the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group and reportedly sells about 40% of its milk to Müller.
After being shown the footage, both Tesco and Müller suspended the farm from their supply chains pending further investigation. Several employees were dismissed.
Animal-welfare researcher Dr Jenny Mace, who reviewed the video material, said the scenes suggested repeated use of excessive force and likely caused “fear, distress and pain.” She reported seeing animals flinch, attempt to escape, vocalise in distress and slip on floors while being driven forward.
The footage also reportedly showed cows restrained during artificial insemination procedures and calves being removed from their mothers shortly after birth. Dr Mace said she identified hundreds of incidents that appeared to involve avoidable suffering.
In a statement, Curtismill Holsteins, the family business that operates Albyns Farm, said it was “extremely disappointed” by the behaviour shown in the footage and described it as completely unacceptable. The company said it had begun an independent investigation, commissioned an external welfare audit, increased staff training and installed additional CCTV monitoring.
Müller said it was “appalled” by the allegations and stated that the behaviour shown would be a serious breach of its welfare standards. Tesco said it takes animal welfare “extremely seriously” and had suspended the farm immediately while a full investigation takes place.
The Crown Estate confirmed it is looking into the matter, although it said it is not involved in the day-to-day management of the farm.
The case has renewed scrutiny of animal welfare standards within the dairy industry and the role of retailers in monitoring conditions on supplying farms.
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