UK calves need our help

Every year, nearly half a million unwanted calves are born in the UK, only to be transported long distances* to continental veal farms or shot at birth. Only a small number are reared in the UK for beef or veal.

* Calf exports from the UK are currently suspended due to an industry-led import ban of British calves. This is due to fears over bovine TB.

 

Born to be wasted

Dairy cows give birth once a year in order to produce milk. Female calves join the dairy herd, but male dairy calves cannot produce milk. Only a few join the beef herd; being a pure-bred dairy breed, these calves are not considered to be well suited for beef production.

Compassion believes all animals are born with a moral and economic value, and wants UK calves to be reared in high welfare systems.

Calf life – wanted not wasted

Our Calf life – wanted not wasted campaign calls for a consumer boycott of low welfare veal from the continent. Research shows that 28% of the UK public eats veal (YouGov 2009); yet many do not know that the majority of the veal they eat comes from intensive rearing units on the continent.

While the majority of the veal industry is intensive, higher welfare alternatives exist. We ask those who eat veal to only choose British and other higher welfare alternatives. Visit our farm animals section for further information on the welfare of calves reared for veal.

Working with stakeholders

Together with the RSPCA, we are working with the dairy and beef industry, UK supermarkets and government, through the Beyond Calf Exports Stakeholders Forum, to implement alternatives to the waste of the dairy industry’s unwanted calves.

Transport Regulation and Calves Directive

We lobby the European Commission, European Parliament and EU Agriculture Ministers to obtain a stronger Calves Directive to protect the welfare of calves on farm.

We also make complaints to Member State governments and the European Commission regarding breaches of the Transport Regulation and the Calves Directive.

Visit our transport pages for more information on transport of calves across Europe.

What food to eat

We're here to show you how simple it is to make the lives of farm animals better through the food you eat. In our Your Food section we give you information about what type of dairy and veal to choose when you shop.

Take action

Find out how you can help us campaign to improve calf welfare.