FARM Statement on Fair Oaks Farms June 7th, 2019
June 7, 2019
“The U.S. dairy community is deeply disappointed and saddened by the actions shown in the recent undercover activist videos. Dairy farmers have a strong, well-documented commitment to animal welfare, a priority every day for producers nationwide.
U.S. dairy farmers have committed to the humane and ethical care of their animals through participation in the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Animal Care program, a program which encompasses 98% of the U.S. milk supply. The actions exhibited in these videos violate the rigorous standards of the FARM program, which is the first livestock animal care program in the world to be recognized by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Animal Welfare Management standards.
When credible allegations of mistreatment of animals are reported on any farm enrolled in the FARM program, we immediately begin our investigation protocol, working with the farm in question, and the cooperative or other processor to which the farm ships its milk, and utilize an independent animal care expert to investigate the allegations. If the investigation determines that intentional mistreatment has occurred, the farm is immediately placed on probation until corrective actions and a follow-up audit are completed. Based on the credible evidence in the video, Fair Oaks Farms is currently in this probationary protocol.
For more information on Fair Oaks Farms, visit their website.
The dairy community is committed to continually improve our animal welfare practices, and the integrity of the program ultimately relies on its vigilant management and implementation. Animal abuse in any form is not tolerated.”
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The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce the majority of U.S. milk, making NMPF the voice of dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. Created by the National Milk Producers Federation in partnership with Dairy Management Inc, the National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) works with all U.S. dairy farmers, co-ops and processors, to demonstrate to dairy customers and consumers that the dairy industry is taking the very best care of cows and the environment, producing safe, wholesome milk and adhering to the highest standards of workforce development.
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