Consumers would boycott super-dairy milk

Almost two-thirds of shoppers would not buy milk produced from large-scale indoor dairy herds, a survey has found.

While 90% of British adults buy milk at least once a week, 61% said they would never buy milk from cows kept indoors in large-scale sheds.

The survey was conducted by pollsters Ipsos MORI on behalf of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

The findings came as Nocton Dairies prepared to resubmit its planning application for an 8100-cow “super-dairy” in Lincolnshire.

The Ipsos MORI survey also revealed that the majority of the population view milk as being fresh (70%) and healthy (52%).

About half of all people who buy milk at least once a week said they associate it with the vision of cows grazing in a field (48%).

The WSPA said the dairy sector should involve the public when making decisions affecting milk production in Britain.

The Nocton proposal was at odds with public sentiment to suggest placing cows at the heart of an industrial process, said Suzi Morris, WSPA UK director.

“There is a lack of transparency within the food industry and consumers are increasingly treated as silent partners,” she said.

Intensive farming was not how British people wanted to get their milk and most people would not buy factory milk farmed in this way.

The WSPA has launched a “Not in my cuppa” campaign to highlight the issue. It is calling on the British public to help stop “factory milk” production.

Smaller farms had much to lose if large-scale dairy herds were given the go-ahead, said Ms Morris

“People want to be able to support the average UK dairy farmer, as their jobs will become much harder if ‘mega-dairies’ are allowed to get through.”

Should it be approved, the Nocton unit would be the largest intensive dairy farm in Western Europe.

The three farmers behind the scheme insist good animal welfare would top the agenda on the farm.

“Cows outdoors can end up with more foot problems and greater energy deficiency,” said dairy consultant Graeme Surtees.

“What many people may not realise is that cows are creatures of habit and don’t like change and that’s why indoor housing can mean better welfare.”

Cows would be housed in groups of 500 on sand beds, milked three times a day, low stocked and kept outdoors when dry during the summer.

Have your say on Nocton and the campaign to boycott its milk on our forums.