Farm Animals

Veal Calf Welfare

Veal calves are separated from their mothers within hours of birth and raised in conditions that cause significant welfare harm.

Key Facts

Veal is the flesh of calves typically slaughtered at 6-8 months
Veal crates — which prevented calves from turning around — are banned in the EU but still used elsewhere
Rose veal calves from the UK and some EU countries have higher welfare standards
Male dairy calves have no value to dairy farmers and are often killed at birth or sent to veal operations
The mother-calf separation in dairy farming causes documented distress in both animals

Welfare Considerations

Conventional veal production compounds the welfare harms of dairy farming by taking the male calves who are a byproduct of dairy production and keeping them in barren conditions that prevent normal development. The early separation from mothers is the most acute welfare insult, but the subsequent conditions of calves in intensive systems compound this with social isolation, dietary restriction, and behavioral frustration throughout their short lives.

What You Can Do

Reduce dairy consumption to lower the number of veal calves produced
Choose rose veal over white veal if you consume veal
Support campaigns for higher welfare standards in veal production
Advocate for barn rearing standards that allow normal calf behavior
Support programs that find alternative uses for male dairy calves beyond veal production