Veal production is among the most welfare-controversial practices in animal agriculture, involving the confinement of young calves separated from their mothers in conditions that prevent normal behavior.
Traditional veal crates confined calves so severely that they could not turn around, lie down naturally, or perform any normal behavior. This was recognized as causing severe psychological suffering from behavioral deprivation even before physical welfare impacts were considered. The isolation from conspecifics prevented normal social development. Even in group housing systems now required in some countries, veal calves are separated from their mothers at birth - both experiencing acute separation distress - and killed at an age where they are still dependent young. The welfare of veal calves is fundamentally tied to the dairy industry: as long as dairy cows are continuously pregnant, male calves will be produced and must go somewhere.