Federated Farmers is rejecting calls for MPI to be stripped of its animal welfare responsibilities

Animal rights group SAFE is accusing the ministry of failing to correctly investigate animal cruelty claims after a Northland farmer was caught on camera violently hitting cows.

MPI had investigated the farmer before the footage emerged, but the inquiry was dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Federated Farmers president Katie Milne admits the ministry may need to make a number of changes.

She says MPI may need more animal welfare inspectors to carry out investigations.

Footage emerged from same farm near Whangarei this week showing an offal pit full of cow bones and carcasses.