Lifeway Calls On Suppliers to End Cow Mutilations

After Talks With PETA, Dairy Manufacturer Gives Consideration to Suppliers That Breed Naturally Hornless Cows

For Immediate Release:
December 14, 2015

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Following talks with PETA, dairy manufacturer Lifeway has implemented a new policy supporting polled, or naturally hornless, cattle. This decision is the first step toward eliminating dehorning—the painful process of burning or gouging the horn tissue out of animals’ heads—from the company’s supply chain. Lifeway is the largest manufacturer of kefir in the United States.

In its newly updated animal-welfare policy, the company writes, “Lifeway encourages all of the farmers and cooperatives who supply us with milk to support efforts that promote the enhanced welfare of cattle, including proper grazing systems, the disuse of artificial growth hormones and responsible dehorning practices. … We ask that strong consideration be given to promoting the polled option as a sustainable alternative to dehorning throughout your dairy supply chain.”

“Although the best way to help cows suffering in the dairy industry is to choose vegan milks and cheeses, PETA will work to reduce suffering wherever we can,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “Thanks to Lifeway’s willingness to take on dehorning among its suppliers, many young cows will be spared this painful experience.”

Other food companies that have recently addressed dehorning include General Mills, Denny’s, Dannon, Aramark, Kroger, Nestlé, and Dunkin’ Brands (which owns Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins). Since PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—began working behind the scenes with companies on this issue three years ago, the number of polled Holstein bulls in the U.S. has increased tenfold.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.