Veal production has been one of the most controversial livestock practices due to the extreme confinement of young calves. Significant reforms have occurred in Europe and North America, but welfare concerns remain.
Veal welfare has improved substantially in the EU through legislative reform banning the most extreme confinement practices. However, welfare challenges persist in the transition period for calves separated from their mothers immediately after birth — causing distress in both cow and calf. Group-housed veal calves still face challenges: social mixing causes stress and injury, iron-restricted diets for white veal cause anemia and unusual food-seeking behavior, and transport of young calves to veal units is stressful. The most significant ongoing welfare issue in dairy-linked veal is the killing of male calves at birth because veal units are not available or profitable — addressing this through rose veal programs that utilize all male dairy calves reduces unnecessary death. Consumer acceptance of rose/pink veal supports these higher-welfare systems.