The Suffering of Cows in the “Protected Cheese” Industry

The production of "protected" cheeses, such as Parmesan and Grana Padano, involves severe animal welfare issues for cows and calves. Investigations reveal that cows producing milk for these cheeses endure appalling treatment, including confinement in barren barns without access to the outdoors or opportunities to express natural behaviors. Male calves, deemed "useless" because they cannot produce milk, often face dire fates, such as being sent to veal farms or left to starve to death on farms. The separation of calves from their mothers shortly after birth causes immense distress to both animals.

Unlike some dairy systems that allow limited outdoor access, cows producing milk for protected cheeses like Parmesan are often kept indoors throughout their lives in a "zero-grazing" system that prevents natural behaviors like grazing or socializing. The use of rennet derived from the stomach lining of slaughtered calves ties cheese production directly to the veal industry, perpetuating calf exploitation. Alternative forms of rennet have been developed, such as microbial rennet or vegetable rennet, offering compassionate animal-free options without compromising flavor or quality.