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Sustainability Catalogue

Modern Dairy Animal Welfare Protection Policy

1. Our Vision

Modern Dairy is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and accountable ecosystem and a sustainable agricultural model that respects natural resources and promotes animal welfare. The well-being of dairy cattle is crucial for Modern Dairy in ensuring the quality and safety of raw milk. It is also a key step in advancing sustainable agriculture. We believe that “good cows naturally produce good milk” and we actively promote the principles of the “Five Welfare” while eliminating practices that violate the “Five Freedoms.”

2. References

Modern Dairy attaches great importance to the health and welfare of animals, respecting their feelings and freedom. Referring to relevant documents such as the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, the Farm Animal Responsible Minimum Standards (FARMS) and Welfare Promotion and Implementation System for Dairy Cattle in Farm published by Mengniu, Modern Dairy has formulated the Modern Dairy Animal Welfare Protection Policy (hereinafter referred to as “the Policy”).

3. Scope of the Policy

The policy applies to all ranches operated by Modern Dairy, including subsidiary ranches, leased ranches, ranches with minority equity investments, and ranches under entrusted management.

4. Contents

4.1 Five Freedoms

We advocate and comply with internationally recognized “Five Freedoms” of animal welfare, including freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury and disease, freedom to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress.

4.2 Five Welfare

We should strive to ensure the “Five Welfare” of animals in the ranches operated by Modern Dairy, including:

4.2.1 Physiological Welfare

Ensure that dairy cattle at different physiological stages are provided with necessary food and water to maintain good health and energy.

  • An appropriate number of feeding personnel should be equipped to ensure the normal operation of dairy cattle feeding.
  • Provide dairy cattle with high quality and sufficient feed and water, as well as sufficient feeding space.
  • Ensure the nutritional supply, sustainability, and safety of feed.
  • The suitable storage conditions of feed to avoid contamination and spoilage.
  • Good quality colostrum should be provided for calves within the first 6 hours after birth. Fibrous feed must be provided for each calf over 4 weeks old. Calves should receive milk or milk substitute feed for the first 8 weeks of life.
  • Dairy cattle should not be bred for excessive milk yield and should be well adapted to the local climatic and nutritional and disease conditions.

4.2.2 Environmental Welfare

Provide appropriate cowshed or resting area for dairy cattle to have comfortable sleep and rest and ensure that the cowshed buildings for the dairy cattle at all stages are in good condition.

  • Provide reasonable heat prevention and cooling, and cold protection for dairy cattle of all ages.
  • Manage the air quality of cowsheds, including reducing suspended particles, odors, dust, and hazardous gases in the air.
  • Promptly clean up the manure in the living space of dairy cattle and maintain a clean environment.
  • The cubicles should be large enough for dairy cattle of all ages to easily stand and lie down.
  • In cubicles, dairy cattle and calves must be provided with a comfortable lying surface such as straw or sand, etc.
  • The floors must be non-slip with suitable roughness to avoid harm to dairy cattle during their activities.
  • The ranches must apply free stalls to provide space for dairy cattle to move freely.
  • Individual housing for calves and dairy cattle near calving can reduce disease transmission and competition for feed, but group housing should be adopted to increase social connections between dairy cattle if there’re appropriate management measures.
  • Regular fly and insect control must be carried out.
  • Advocate for providing exercise yard for dairy cattle at different stages based on the conditions of each ranch, allowing dairy cattle to fully enjoy natural light.
  • The site selection for the construction of the ranches should consider being away from noise and air pollution.

4.2.3 Health Welfare

Ensure that dairy cattle are free from additional pain, monitor their health conditions, prevent diseases, and provide timely treatment to diseased dairy cattle.

  • The ranches must have veterinarians.
  • Implement herd health management measures that are appropriate for each ranch to prevent, treat and detect common diseases (including mastitis, limb and hoof diseases, etc.), and treat injured dairy cattle promptly.
  • Implement calf healthcare management measures and provide targeted management for newborn calves and lactating calves.
  • Implement parasite control and healthcare management measures to control and treat parasites and pests.
  • Perform thorough disbudding on calves within three weeks of age where possible, to avoid contact and harm among groups.
  • Prohibit the use of any drugs for lactating dairy cattle to promote animal growth.
  • Use antibiotics responsibly, limit the use of antibiotics to the treatment of animal diseases and refrain from prophylactic and other uses.

4.2.4 Behavior and Psychological Welfare

Allow dairy cattle to follow their natural behaviors and formulate management plans according to their instincts. Avoid violence and mental distress to dairy cattle. Provide adequate space, appropriate facilities, and a natural and relaxing living environment for them to stay together.

  • Ranch management personnel must provide a natural and relaxing living environment according to the physiological habits of dairy cattle.
  • Tethering is not permitted.
  • No dismemberment activities other than calf dehorning are involved. During the calf dehorning process, staff must follow operational guidelines to prevent tissue fluid, dehorning paste, iodine tincture, etc. from flowing into the calf’s eyes. They should also monitor for post-dehorning infections. If infection occurs, clean the area with saline solution and then spray with iodine tincture for disinfection and treatment.
  • No slaughter activities are conducted.
  • Drive and interact with dairy cattle in a proper manner, and violence or scaring dairy cattle is not allowed.
  • Minimize the transport time and the discomfort of dairy cattle during transportation, provide proper care for cattle, and prevent harm and suffering.
  • Advocate for providing dairy cattle with more benefits such as scratching to make them physically and psychologically happy.

5. Penalties for Violations

For behaviors that violate animal welfare, the farm imposes penalties according to the “Employee Reward and Punishment System.” Generally, potential violations should be immediately corrected by the direct supervisor or management personnel, and measures should be taken to prevent similar incidents from recurring. For violations that have already occurred, the company will take a progressive approach to disciplinary action, providing the relevant personnel with opportunities to correct their behavior and meet work standards.

6. Policy Review and Update

The Policy serves as reference for welfare improvement of the ranches operated by Modern Dairy. The ranches must make corresponding adjustments based on their actual situation, current technology development, and updated concepts. Modern Dairy should progressively improve understanding of animal welfare issues and keep reviewing and updating the Policy.