"Leprino Foods, the world’s largest producer of mozzarella cheese, recently cancelled a contract with a supplier being investigated by the New Mexico Livestock Board for animal cruelty. Recent evidence released by an undercover employee shows dairy workers whipping, kicking, and punching cows. They are even seen dragging sick and injured cows with tractors while shocking their genitals with cattle prods.
While all of Leprino’s suppliers are voluntary members of the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management program, which outlines best practices for animal treatment in the dairy industry, Leprino has no guidelines or inspections of its own. This makes it impossible for the cheese giant to ensure that its own quality standards are being met, and allows room for this type of barbaric cruelty to take place.
It is imperative that Leprino have a clear idea of what is going on in their dairy suppliers in order to ensure that their products are responsibly sourced. A review of conditions in supplying dairies needs to be conducted in order to spot and correct issues, followed by the implementation and enforcement of animal welfare regulations. Your signature will demand that Leprino Foods hold their suppliers to a higher standard."
