European Cruelty
Every year up to half a million male dairy calves are born in the UK, many to be transported long distances to intensive veal farms in Europe as they are often considered an unwanted by-product of the UK dairy industry. But the intensive veal industry also uses calves from other countries in Europe – which means millions more animals face the same cruelty.
Compassion in World Farming’s investigations unit has gone behind the scenes to document one of the biggest trades in live animals in mainland Europe: the long distance transport of hundreds of thousands of calves from Poland to Italy and The Netherlands, where they will be raised for veal in conditions already illegal in the UK.
In 2008, over 1.1 million calves were transported long distances across Europe to reach veal rearing units.
In Poland, farmers told Compassion in World Farming investigators that an over-production of calves in the dairy industry often meant that export of calves was the only profitable market left open to them.
In 2008, Poland exported over 325,000 calves, mainly to Italy and The Netherlands.
Compassion in World Farming investigators were told that companies specialising in ‘gathering’ calves maintained relationships with dairy and cattle farmers, so that they always had a ready a supply of calves ready to send for export.
Many male dairy calves are considered a wasteful by-product of the dairy industry.
Dairy cows have to give birth once a year in order to continuously produce milk for human consumption. Female calves join the dairy herd, but male dairy calves cannot produce milk. These male dairy calves are readily available for the intensive veal industry.
Help us ensure calves are wanted not wasted. Support our Calf life campaign.
Our team was able to interview the manager of one of these companies about how the trade works in Poland, and what happened to the young animals involved.
He explained that the animals experienced stress, because of the drastic changes in their surroundings, and because they are separated from their mothers at such an early age.
Compassion recommends that calves should be reared with their dam or a nurse cow.
It is vital for their health that calves receive sufficient amounts of colostrum – the first milk produced by a new mother – within six hours of birth. Calf welfare is compromised by poor feeding, hygiene, and housing, as well as inappropriate or long transport.
The manager went on to explain who the main recipients of the trade in young calves from Poland were.
When we asked about the journeys involved in the export of calves and what effect they could have on them, the manager was keen to stress how short he thought the travel time was.
But the manager admitted that there could be problems.
A typical journey from Poland to northern Italy takes approximately 25 hours.
We urge the European Commission to introduce a maximum limit of eight hours on journeys for slaughter and for further fattening. Lobby President José Manuel Barroso today.
Research shows that, during and after transport, calves can suffer from:
- heat and cold stress;
- weight loss;
- increased body temperature, heart rate, plasma cortisol and adrenaline levels;
- fear and physical fatigue;
- increased levels of infection; and
- high mortality rates
Support the Handle with Care coalition which campaigns to stop long distance transport of animals for slaughter.
Our investigation took us to another company specialising in regular trade with the intensive veal industry in The Netherlands.
On our arrival we found the local veterinary official carrying out checks on animals that had been injured during transport from farms across Poland to the company’s headquarters.
From here the animals would either be exported, or if already injured, would wait to recover, before beginning their journey to veal systems hundreds of miles away.
In 2008, Poland exported over 100,000 calves to The Netherlands. The trip is over 1,000 miles long.
The manager arrived to show Compassion’s investigations team around the facility, explaining a little bit about the trade.
As we looked around, animals continued to arrive from farms around Poland, in preparation for export to The Netherlands.
Every year, around five million calves are reared for veal within the EU. Most of these calves are fed a low-iron diet, mainly milk or milk replacer, in order to keep their flesh pale in colour. This is often called ‘white veal’.
Meat from calves slaughtered when they are aged between eight and 12 months is usually called ‘rosé’ veal.
For more information visit our Calf life – wanted not wasted campaign page.
As investigators asked how long the journey to The Netherlands could take, the lorry that would be transporting the calves arrived, and loading of the calves for their journey began.
Despite assurances that workers at the company looked after calves in their care – and that only the most modern equipment was used – investigators witnessed incidents of rough handling and it was easy to see just how frightened the calves were.
Current EU legislation stipulates:
- Calves under 10 days old can be transported for up to 100 km once the navel has healed
- Calves from 10 to 14 days old can be transported for up to 8 hours
- Calves over 14 days old can be transported on long journeys across the EU provided the calf is rested for 24 hours after 18 hours of travel
Compassion recommends a limit of eight hours on journeys to slaughter. Sign the 8hours petition today.
Having seen some of the problems of the live export of calves from Poland first-hand, Compassion in World Farming’s investigations team spoke to one of the key politicians in Poland currently working to address the problem.
Compassion in World Farming makes formal complaints to Member States regarding their failure to comply with Community legislation on the protection of animals during transport.
Having seen the situation in Poland, Compassion in World Farming investigators continued to Italy to witness the intensive conditions that many of the Polish calves would find themselves in after their long journey.