Veal production has been reformed significantly since the banning of veal crates, but welfare challenges remain for calves reared for rose veal and white veal in various systems.
Veal welfare has improved substantially from the worst practices of veal crate confinement, but variation remains significant. Rose veal systems that provide social housing, iron-adequate nutrition, and roughage meet the major welfare requirements for growing calves. White veal systems that restrict iron to produce pale meat impose deliberate anaemia — a welfare compromise that remains controversial. The sustainability case for rose veal — it reduces male dairy calf killing — aligns with the welfare case for systems that allow normal behaviour and nutrition.