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Dairy Cows 'hungry and emaciated' by high milk production, says CIWF

Compassion in World Farming says cows across Europe are suffering as a result of being bred to produce unreasonable amounts of milk.

The claims came after an extensive study on dairy systems by the European Food Safety Authority found that long-term genetic selection for higher milk yields was a major factor affecting cow health and welfare.

The five-part report said cattle should be genetically selected to address resistance to diseases such as lameness, as well as improving their fertility and health.

It also recommended that cattle were given enough space to take into account the increased body form and size of genetically-selected cows.

However CIWF claimed the report showed cows produced in the European Union suffered from hunger, lameness and infertility.

Calling for consumers to buy organic milk, CIWF said dairy cows were being bred to produce more milk than was healthy for them and were increasingly reared in zero-grazing systems, causing "serious welfare problems".

Phil Brooke, CIWF welfare development manager said the industry had been milking cows beyond endurance for too long.