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Hidden Dairy Video Prompts New Animal Welfare Policy

Mercy for Animals

The world's largest mozzarella cheese producer has updated their animal welfare policy. This week's announcement comes in the wake of a hidden video investigation of animal abuse at a dairy farm in southern New Mexico last year. 

The secretly-taped video revealed that workers at Winchester Dairy near Dexter, New Mexico, used prods on cows' genitals and tractors to move sick animals.

Jaya Bhumitra is with the nonprofit animals rights organization Mercy For Animals. She said Leprino Foods has stepped up to the plate.

"Its never been clearer that the days are really numbered for dairy farms that abuse animals," said Bhumitra.

Leprino's new policy, Bhumitra said, sets a precedent for other dairy companies to follow. It prohibits abuse like that in the video and includes other changes. 

According to a statement from Leprino Foods, dairy suppliers will be responsible for enforcing the new animal welfare polices. 

Other large companies including Nestlé and Great Lakes Cheese have also adopted new policies regarding treatment of animals. 

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