Commercial veal production
Veal production typically involves removing calves from their mother shortly after birth and transporting them to specialist veal farms for rearing.
Veal crates
Now illegal in the UK and Europe, these are narrow crates that prevent the calf from turning around. Calves are sometimes tied by their necks. Veal crates are still in use in other countries, including the US.
To keep the flesh pale, calves are fed an unhealthy diet of milk with no, or far too little, solid food. The calves can become so anaemic that they would die before adulthood. Their diet also prevents their digestive system from developing properly.
Public pressure in the US has resulted in some major producers phasing out the use of veal crates and they are to be made illegal in Arizona.
Veal production in Europe
Intensive veal in EU
Since the ban on veal crates was introduced in January 2007, calves up to eight weeks old may be kept in individual pens, where they can turn around and be in contact with other calves.
After this, they are reared in groups of up to 80 calves, often in sheds with a wooden slatted floor.
From the age of two weeks, by law, their diet has to include a daily minimum fibrous content so that their digestive system can develop properly. It must also contain sufficient iron to prevent anaemia. However, scientific evidence suggests that these minimum amounts of fibrous food and iron are still too low.
There is a legal minimum space allowance per calf in the EU.
Veal production in the UK
The law in the UK sets a larger minimum space allowance for older calves and a higher minimum fibrous feed content for younger calves. UK law also requires the provision of bedding for calves.
Wherever the calf is to be reared, it is sent there at an early age via live transport.