Cow abuse videos prompt reforms by dairy industry group

A dairy industry group announced reforms Monday after undercover videos at two Florida dairy farms showed cows being kicked, punched and beaten with metal bars. Southeast Milk Inc., which ships and markets milk for dairies in Florida and three other states, will work with members to introduce or enhance 24-hour video surveillance of dairy farm operations, the organization announced at a news conference at Zolfo Springs, in Hardee County.It will hold mandatory remedial training sessions for dairy owners and operators next month. It will accelerate the adaptation of new, stricter national standards for cow care, which requires more training, closer working relationships with veterinarians and stronger sanctions for farms that fail to comply.“Southeast Milk has a zero-tolerance policy for animal abuse,” said Jim Sleper, chief executive officer of Southeast Milk. “As a cooperative of family-owned dairies, we know that caring for our animals is the right thing to do morally, economically and ethically.” But Animal Recovery Mission, the Miami-Dade animal-rights group that made the videos, expressed skepticism over the statement, saying that while the reforms may be a step forward, they failed to address major abuses and appeared intended to reassure the public that it was still all right to consume milk, cheese and ice cream.