Arla has confirmed that it has stopped milk collection from a number of farms where breaches of animal welfare standards have been identified.

Animal Justice Project conducted a 12-month investigation covered 16 Arla-supplying farms across 13 counties in the UK.

The animal welfare group documented what it claims were severely lame cows being made to walk, violent handling, tail twisting and calves taken from their mothers within minutes of birth.

Animal Justice Project states that it has the sole focus of ending animal agriculture.

It is calling on the UK government to "stop the expansion of dairy farming and fund a fair transition for farmers".

It its latest investigation which was publicised in recent days, video footage allegedly shows cows from farms supplying Arla, which also supplies Tesco, being treated with less than optimum levels of animal welfare.

A spokesperson for the Arla confirmed to Agriland: "Animal welfare is of the utmost importance to us, and we take all reports and concerns seriously.

"Our investigation has confirmed cases of unacceptable behaviour that fall below our standards.

"We have therefore suspended milk collection from a number of the farms involved.

"These farms have been placed on action plans, including extensive training and follow-up requirements."

The co-op added that compliance will be closely monitored, and failure to meet the required standards will result in further action.

"In addition, we are strengthening our animal welfare requirements across our farms in general," the Arla spokesperson added.

"This will include mandatory annual animal-handling training for all farm staff delivered by an external expert, tighter restrictions on certain animal handling practices and equipment and an increased use of unannounced audits."

Animal Justice Project has said that Tesco has told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism that the farms in its supply chain have been suspended while it investigates.

Campaigns director at Animal Justice Project, Ayrton Cooper said: “We welcome Tesco’s decision to suspend the farms in our investigation that supply it, but this cannot be the last step.

"Across ten farms, an independent expert recorded 360 potential breaches, including lame cows made to walk, cows kicked and hit, and calves taken from their mothers within minutes of birth.

"This cannot credibly be dismissed as one ‘bad apple’ - it's systemic. Shoppers have been sold a fairytale of happy, well-cared-for cows, and it's time Arla's narrative matched the reality – stop conning the public and move away from selling dairy.” 

AJP is now calling on the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate whether Arla's animal welfare claims mislead consumers.