Veal Calf Welfare Issues

Veal calves are normally a by-product of the dairy industry. Male calves are taken from their mothers shortly after birth and are used to produce pale, soft meat. ‘Bob’ veal comes from calves slaughtered at only a few days old but the majority are slaughtered at 16 to 20 weeks old (AVMA, 2008). As calves grow and the milk yield is reduced they begin to consume more grass (Mark McGee et al., 2017). However, veal calves are fed a diet of low-iron milk replacer designed to keep the flesh pale (CIWF, 2017).

In the US it is common for veal calves to be fed a purely liquid diet, preventing normal development of the rumen, the first chamber of the stomach of a ruminant. However, in the EU there is a minimum requirement of fibrous food and iron to be fed to calves but evidence shows that the EU minimum iron requirement could be inadequate and cases of anaemia are still common. In the UK the minimum amount of fibrous food is double that of EU standards. Young calves are also provided with bedding and older calves have more space allowance compared to continental calves (CIWF, 2017).

Calves with a diet deficient in iron and other nutrients can develop a number of problems. Due to calves being separated from their mothers and being unable to suckle they have little to low levels of colostrum which aids the immune system (Comerford, 2017). A lack of iron causes anaemia, giving the calves a feeling of exhaustion and increasing the risk of metabolic acidosis (Cozzi et al., 2009). Naturally, a calf would feed four to ten times per day but veal calves are feed less frequent larger meals and it is thought ulcers form due to overfilling (AVMA, 2008). Stress and infection could also be causes of ulcers.

These issues stemming from the dietary restrictions in veal farming could be improved in a number of ways. Some organisations have created their own standards of higher welfare and certification programs for veal farming such as RSPCA Assured. The RSPCA’s welfare standards ensure veal calves are housed in groups and that deep-straw bedding is provided. Calves are fed enough iron to prevent anaemia or any other vitamin or mineral deficiency. Unweaned calves must also have a minimum amount of fibrous feed or unlimited access to grass (RSPCA Assured, 2017; CIWF, 2017). 

Studies have shown food experts cannot detect differences in pale veal and rosé veal which comes from calves that have been fed a higher level of iron. Furthermore, consumers have been found not to have a strong colour preference when purchasing veal. An increase in the number of restaurants and supermarkets offering RSPCA Assured veal could generate a greater awareness of the welfare issues associated with this type of farming and change the attitude of consumers.

Furthermore, the minimum requirements should be reviewed and increased to ensure calves are fed sufficient amounts of iron to at least prevent anaemia. An increase in calves’ iron intake would improve mortality rates and positively impact productivity. An alternative for lightening the colour of the meat without reducing the iron intake is to add monosodium phosphate and vitamin E to the diet (Agboola et al., 1988). This can help to produce pale meat without the risk of anaemia.

References

Agboola, H., Cahill, V., Conrad, H., Ockerman, H., Parrett, N. and Plimpton, R. (1988). The Effects of a High Monosodium Phosphate and Alpha Tocopherol Supplemented Milk Replacer Diet on Veal Muscle Color and Composition. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 66(7), p.1676. Available at: https://www.animalsciencepublications.org/publications/jas/pdfs/66/.../JAN066007167... [Accessed 18 Oct. 2017].

American Veterinary Medical Association. (2008). Welfare Implications of Veal Calf Husbandry. [online] Available at: https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/LiteratureReviews/Pages/Welfare-Implications-of-the-Veal-Calf-Husbandry-Backgrounder.aspx [Accessed 17 Oct. 2017].

CIWF. (2017). About calves reared for veal: Compassion in World Farming. [online] Available at: https://www.ciwf.org.uk/farm-animals/cows/veal-calves/ [Accessed 17 Oct. 2017].

Comerford, J. (2017). Colostrum and Calf Productivity... a Review. [online] Penn State Extension. Available at: https://extension.psu.edu/colostrum-and-calf-productivity-a-review [Accessed 17 Oct. 2017].

Cozzi, G., Brscic, M. and Gottardo, F. (2009). Main critical factors affecting the welfare of beef cattle and veal calves raised under intensive rearing systems in Italy: a review. Italian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 8(sup1), pp.67-80. Available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.4081/ijas.2009.s1.67 [Accessed 18 Oct. 2017].

McGee, M., Kavanagh, S. and Kennedy, E. (2017). Calf Nutrition. [ebook] Available at: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/animals/beef/calf-nutrition.pdf [Accessed 18 Oct. 2017].

RSPCA Assured. (2017). Key veal calf welfare problems and how RSPCA Assured helps. [online] Available at: https://www.rspcaassured.org.uk/farm-animal-welfare/veal-calves/ [Accessed 17 Oct. 2017].