Veal production has historically involved some of the most welfare-compromising practices in animal agriculture, though significant reforms have been achieved.
Veal crate systems combined multiple severe welfare violations: physical confinement preventing movement, iron deficiency causing chronic anemia, social isolation, and slaughter at young age. Reform has achieved significant improvements in group housing and iron provision. The welfare context of veal production is also linked to dairy: male calves are an inevitable byproduct of milk production. Rose veal from group-housed calves receiving appropriate nutrition represents a welfare improvement that also addresses the male calf problem from dairy farming. Supporting reformed veal systems is arguably a better outcome than the alternative of immediate killing.