Two dairy farms in west Iceland have been closed due to the deplorable conditions in which the cows there were forced to live.
The two farms in question are Ingunnarstaðir in Reykhólahreppur and Brúarreykir in Borgarfjörður. The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) sent a letter to the latter farm in November 30, stating that the demands made by MAST to make changes to the farm were either responded to late, poorly or not at all. MAST then took the decision to close the farm on December 1, RÚV reports (warning: article contains images that may be disturbing to some readers). Neither farm will be allowed to sell meat or dairy until further notice.
At the farms, inspectors found that cows were living in crowded conditions that were highly unsanitary – manure was in some areas almost knee deep, clinging to the legs and udders of the animals. Fecal matter was also found in the water the cattle drink.
Viktor Stefán Pálsson, the director of MAST’s municipal department, told RÚV that they were now looking more closely into the matter, to see whether or not the farms were possibly breaking animal protection laws. If found guilty, those running the farms could face fines or imprisonment.
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