15/11/2010
Around a quarter of the national dairy herd is lame at any one time, according to animal welfare researchers. Charlotte Smith asks if farmers should do more to protect cow welfare.
High yielding dairy cows can produce around nine thousand litres of milk a year. But welfare researchers say around a quarter of the national herd are lame at any one time. Charlotte Smith asks if that and other problems such as mastitis and infertility mean intensive milk production methods are cruel.
Also a Private Members bill in Parliament calls for the £2.2billion worth of food ordered by the Government - for hospitals, prisons, other public sector areas and its own departments - to meet minimum standards on biodiversity, sustainability and welfare. Charlotte Smith asks in the face of cuts if that's realistic.
Presented by Charlotte Smith and Produced by Anne-Marie Bullock.
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- Mon 15 Nov 201005:45BBC Radio 4
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