Trolley Power: Veal

What are the issues?

Veal is not widely farmed or consumed in the UK because of the widely-despised veal crate system which was banned in the UK in 1990 and across Europe at the beginning of 2007 after years of Compassion in World Farming pressure.

Whilst we are proud of this step forward, there is still much to do. Whilst calves reared for veal in the UK are required by law to have access to more space, better food and bedding, most veal that is sold here is largely reared in Europe from calves that are reared indoors on bare slatted floors with little space and often no bedding. These calves may have been born in the UK and taken on gruelling journeys when just a couple of weeks old.

The veal crate system involves confining calves in narrow individual crates in darkened sheds where they are unable to exercise and are denied social contact. For good welfare, calves should be provided with bedding material and housed in groups throughout the rearing period. Some veal comes from calves that are not provided with bedding and some may be kept separately for the first weeks of life.