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Calves being kicked, beaten and hurled around are shown in a video on Fair Oaks Farms, filmed by the group Animal Recovery Mission (ARM). The farms produce milk for the Coca-Cola-owned dairy brand Fairlife.
Most of the video footage was captured on one of the dairies that belongs to Fair Oaks Farms.
“It is with great disappointment to find, after closely reviewing the released ARM video, that there were five individuals committing multiple instances of animal cruelty and despicable judgment. Of the five, four were our employees and one was a third-party truck driver who was picking up calves,” said Mike McCloskey in a statement from Fair Oaks Farms.
Unaware
Three out of the four employees were fired before Fair Oaks Farms was aware of the undercover investigation, McCloskey said.
“Unfortunately, the fourth employee’s animal abuse was not caught at that same time. Although he underwent another training session in animal care when we discovered there was an undercover ARM operation on our farm, after viewing the extent of his animal abuse, he is being terminated.”
Fair Oaks also said it notified the transport company about its driver and said he would no longer be allowed on their farms.
“I am disgusted by and take full responsibility for the actions seen in the footage, as it goes against everything that we stand for in regards to responsible cow care and comfort. The employees featured in the video exercised a complete and total disregard for the documented training that all employees go through to ensure the comfort, safety and well-being of our animals,” McCloskey said.
“The statement that we grow and sell drugs on our farms is false. The plants featured in the video are an invasive perennial species that is rampant on farms all over the midwest.
“Months ago, the individual seen smoking by the barn and doing drugs in a truck was turned in by his co-workers to one of our managers. That manager notified local law enforcement about the drug use and, accordingly, a police report is on file.”
He also apologised for am "unintended" false claim that Fair Oaks Farms calves were not used for veal. The video shows the ARM team following a truck from Fair Oaks to a veal company.
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