Saputo to refuse to buy milk from inhumane suppliers

Montreal dairy giant Saputo says it will refuse to buy milk fromfarmers that don't treat their animals humanely.

The change is part of a new animal welfare policy the companyreleased today after it became entangled in a controversy last yearwhen an undercover video was made public showing cows being punched,kicked and beaten with pipes at one of its suppliers.

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Saputo,one of the world's largest dairy processors,says it wants all farmers and employees to sign yearly codes ofconduct and is working with universities to improve education onanimal welfare.

Although federal law only allows processors to refuse to acceptmilk over health concerns, Saputo says it will not accept milk fromsites where animals have been mistreated, as it did for two dayslast summer when a video surfaceddepicting animal abuse at anoperation in Chilliwack, B.C.

Chilliwack Cattle fired eight employees after Mercy for Animalsreleased a video that showed young men beating the animals.

The animal rights group praised Saputo for its new policy, whichalso commits to eliminating the practice of cutting or docking thecow's tail, administering pain control when dehorning cattle andreducing stress on cows through low-energyanimal handling methods.

Mercy for Animals says three of the world's largest dairycompanies Nestle, Leprino Foods and Great Lakes Cheese haverecently announced similar animal welfare requirements.