WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT: At least on dairy farm supplying milk to the Cornish creamery behind one of the nation’s favourite cheese is under investigation after allegations of animal cruelty came to light.
A dairy farm supplying milk to the Cornish creamery responsible for one of Britain’s beloved cheeses is under scrutiny following allegations of animal cruelty. Saputo Dairy UK, owners of the Davidstow Creamery in North Cornwall have confirmed that Polshea Farm in St Issey, Bodmin will cease supplying them with milk pending an investigation.
The probe was triggered after activist, filmmaker and investigator Joey Carbstrong released a YouTube documentary alleging repeated instances of animal cruelty at two farms, including Polshea and Trevear Farm in West Cornwall.
Secretly recorded footage from 2022 and earlier this year reveals disturbing scenes of cows being whipped with plastic tubes and prodded in the rectum. In some instances, workers are seen punching, slapping and kicking cows, while calves are dragged and pushed.
Davidstow Creamery is the producer of Cathedral City and Davidstow cheddar cheeses, as well as other dairy products like Clover and Country Life.
At Polshea Farm, forklift tractors are allegedly used to herd or drag ill cows, risking serious injury. The animals are also reportedly jabbed with sharp objects to make them compliant.
Dead cows were said to have been left decomposing next to live animals for days, reports Cornwall Live.
Mr Carbstrong revealed to CornwallLive that the 2022 covert recordings were secured by animal rights activists at Trevear Farm near Penzance between September and October and at Polshea Farm between October and November, before being handed to him due to his public standing and media presence in an effort to reveal what he describes as a “culture of abuse”.
Following allegations that the conduct persisted, he journeyed to Cornwall to confront the farmers and shine a light on practices he believes will horrify many shoppers.
In the documentary he can be heard stating: “I was disgusted by what I saw. My first instinct was to rush to publicise it. But there was a problem. Many years had passed, making accountability less likely. Instead we decided to reinvestigate.”
Mr Carbstrong and his colleagues visited Polshea Farm in April of this year to determine whether the behaviour captured in the 2022 recordings was ongoing and to challenge the farmer directly.
He also reached out to Jenny Mace, an associate lecturer in animal welfare at the University of Winchester, who stated that based on the material from 2022 and 2025 she had reviewed, there appeared to be “persistent illegality occurring at Polshear Farm”.
She explained: “This stems from excessive use of force on cows, including substantial tail twisting, slapping, completely gratuitous dragging of calves, general intimidation and using goads with sharp or pointed ends.”
The Aussie expat, now residing in the UK, is cognisant that his past as a convicted gang member back in Australia might be used to undermine his current endeavours. He shared with us that it was during a 2013 jail term when he had a revelation and chose to overhaul his life.
“I’ve been sober since,” he declared. “I was drinking and involved in drugs. I didn’t have any mental clarity. I was in a terrible world and didn’t have the best upbringing. Spending six months in prison got me sober.”
He continued, “I started to see things more clearly. I saw the gang world for what it was and decided it was not for me. I wanted to do something positive and tried to live a positive life. I decided I would help people. I ended up focusing on animals and how people don’t care about them. I felt they needed my help the most.”
He added, “I know some people focus on my career and my past and will look at any excuse to portray me as the villain. I want the public to know that whatever lifestyle choice they make this type of animal cruelty is going on. People should have the right to know when they make their choice.”
Polshea Farm in Bodmin is under the ownership of Mark Button, while Trevear Farm belongs to Richard Thomas. Both farms supply milk via Davidstow Creamery Direct (DCD) to Saputo Dairy UK.
In his documentary, Mr Carbstrong confronts Mr Button at Polshea Farm, accusing him of “criminal, illegal acts of animal cruelty” occurring on his farm. Mr Button vehemently denies these allegations, dismissing them as “absolute rubbish”.
He refutes any claims that his workers have used excessive force, beaten the cows, or used prods or sharp instruments to harm the animals, such as stabbing them, chasing them, or using a forklift to herd them around. When further questioned about the footage Mr Carbstrong possesses, the farmer then requests him and his crew to vacate the farm – which they comply with.
A representative for Saputo Dairy UK, the owner of the Davidstow creamery, informed CornwallLive that it had initiated an investigation. They stated that milk collection from Polshear Farm has been suspended after being presented with video evidence from Mr Carbstrong’s team.
They expressed their concern, stating: “We care deeply about the way the milk we source is produced and do not condone any act of animal cruelty.
“The footage shared is disturbing and offends the values of our customers, consumers and employees alike. We have immediately suspended milk collection from this farm while we complete an investigation.”
They further stated: “The investigation is currently underway and will be completed as swiftly and thoroughly as possible and validated by the appropriate animal protection authorities and independent third-party experts.
“On Sunday, 19 October, we were presented with credible evidence via the video footage to support allegations of animal cruelty, and we took immediate action to suspend milk collection from this farm while we complete an investigation.”
When we contacted Mr Button, he declined to comment directly about the accusations against him and his workers but directed us to speak to his representative at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), which we have done.
When we attempted to contact Trevear Farm to speak to Mr Thomas and explained the situation, we were informed that he was not available and that he would return our call. He never did.
A statement issued by the NFU on behalf of Mr Button, read: “The welfare of our herds is of the utmost importance to us and we take any claims extremely seriously.
“We are reviewing the footage and will ensure that appropriate action is taken where and if needed. The regulatory authorities have found no animal welfare concerns on farm and we will continue to work with them.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
#Cathedral #City #suspends #milk #disturbing #footage #Cornish #farms
