Chilliwack Cattle Sales milk pick-up resumes
The association representing British Columbia's dairy producers says milk pickups have resumed at the farm where workers were caught on video allegedly abusing cattle.
The video released earlier this month by the group Mercy for Animals appears to show employees at Chilliwack Cattle Sales Ltd. beating and punching cows at the farm.
Charges were recommended by the BC SPCA against eight employees who were fired after the video's release, though no charges have yet been laid and none of the allegations tested in court.
The BC Milk Marketing Board suspended milk pickup then lifted the suspension, though dairy-food giant Saputo Inc. (TSX:SAP) announced it would not accept milk from the farm and demanded industry changes.
The BC Dairy Association says the farm has taken action, installing cameras to provide 24-hour surveillance.
The association says buyers are once again picking up milk from the farm — the largest dairy operation in the country.
Saputo, which supplies Dairyland milk products, says it is also lifting its boycott of Chilliwack Cattle Sales after reviewing independent veterinarian reports confirming the farm is implementing animal welfare improvements.
It says the industry is reviewing enforceable animal welfare standards on B.C. dairy farms in consultation with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and the B.C. SPCA and will meet next week to start a process leading to their implementation.
