Dairy farmers in Denmark have refused an offer of nearly £6,000 to let animal-rights campaigners film the production of milk, butter and cheese.

The country’s farmers, who supply dairy products for the firm behind British brands Anchor and Lurpak, have not accepted the cash incentive to let cameras in to record how cows and calves are treated every day.

Animal-rights group Anima claims filming would reveal practices common in the UK and Denmark, such as how the young are taken away from their mothers within hours of being born, causing distress to both.

A video would also record how male calves are shot dead – with a bolt in the head – when they are around a day old because they are not used in dairy production, according to the activists, who say this is standard practice.

A new YouGov poll showed that less than half of the Danish public knew that cows must give birth to produce milk, and only about a third knew that calves are removed just a few hours after birth.

It’s believed about nine in 10 Danish farmers work for Arla Foods, one of the UK’s biggest dairy firms which owns the Lurpak and Anchor brands.

Anima, which is calling on Arla to be open about how milk is produced, initially asked the company to allow filming.

“We asked Arla to show us what the process of separation calf from mother was like and let us film, including when many of the calves are shot at birth. They refused, saying they couldn’t show us because they’re not the farmers,” said Kirsty Henderson, of Anima.

Consumers have a right to know how their milk and butter are produced Kirsty Henderson

So the group took out full-page adverts in 11 national newspapers offering 50,000 Danish Kroner (£5,900) to any farmer who allows filming. A hotline was also set up for farmers.

Ms Henderson said about 10 so far had expressed interest but none had agreed. She said there was a report that Arla had asked farmers not to accept.

“The fact that they are so unwilling to show the public what is going on sends a big message in my view,” she said. “Consumers have the right to know how their milk and butter are produced, and it is clear that when they are given the full story, the public don’t think such cruelty is acceptable.”

Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Vegan naked chicken chalupa Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Easy vegan brownie bites Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Maple peach pecan overnight oats Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Macaroni skillet Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Cauliflower buffalo wings Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Vegan animal style fries Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Cheese Brussels sprouts tots Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Vegan beer and cheddar bread bowl dip Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Vegan s'more tacos Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Vegan chicken ceasar wraps Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Caramelised onion dip Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Tortilla soup and cheesy taquitos Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Easy vegan chilli Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Vegan chocolate hazenlut tarts Creative vegan dishes from YouTubers - In pictures Cassava bacon

She said Anima may consider offering a similar reward to farmers in Britain in future.

The group has created a video using footage shot on dairy farms in other countries.

An Arla spokesperson said: “Arla is a farmer-owned co-operative, and our farmers make and share their own videos explaining on-farm practice to Arla customers.