Danone: investigation finds evidence of animal abuse in Brazilian farms

Footage obtained by NGO Sinergia Animal depicts animals being subjected to controversial practices and reveals evidence of illegal slaughter in the company’s milk supply chain in Brazil

March 21st, 2023 — An investigation conducted by International animal protection NGO Sinergia Animal reveals evidence of irregularities and harmful practices in Danone's milk supply chain.

Footage and statements from workers and farm owners point to inadequate handling of animals, possibly illegal transportation and slaughter of newborn calves, and painful mutilations (“dehorning”) performed without pain relief. The NGO urges Danone to adopt a policy banning these practices among its suppliers.

“The evidence we collected shows a disturbing reality for animals. Images and statements reveal that calves are separated from their mothers just a few hours after they are born. They are kept tied up and exposed to insects, rain, heat, and cold. One of the animals we found in these conditions was barely alive and covered with flies. This type of inadequate handling can lead to a high mortality rate among animals”, explains Carolina Galvani, Sinergia Animal’s executive director.

Tethering calves for more than an hour is considered a harmful practice, and it was banned in all European Union countries in 2008.

"In addition, according to one of the employees, female calves that are kept in the farm to become dairy cows have their 'horns' amputated with a hot iron and a knife, without first receiving anesthesia or any pain relief", she adds.

Recorded statements suggest male calves are illegally slaughtered

According to statements from employees, newborn calves are transported and then “home slaughtered” outside of legal slaughterhouses within only a few hours or days of life. A survey shows that, in dairy farms in Brazil, it is common for newborn calves to be killed by head trauma, bleeding, or asphyxiation.

“Because they don't produce milk, male calves are seen by the industry as a potential financial loss. Dairy cows are commonly subjected to inseminations. And just like other farms in Brazil, on the one that supplies milk to Danone, the calves that are born male are discarded and sent to possibly illegal slaughter as quickly as possible,” explains Galvani.

Sign the petition now: sinergiaanimalinternational.org/danone