Veal production: New system spares calves the cruelty of continental crates
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Animal welfare groups gave a cautious welcome yesterday to a new veal-rearing system unveiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, writes Danny Penman.
Billed as "welfare friendly", the new system aims to produce high-quality veal at competitive prices to displace the variety produced in continental crates.
Groups of 10 calves will be reared in the shed-like units pictured above. Each calf has about three square metres of straw-covered floor space and will be fed on a diet of reformulated milk.
In contrast to the food given to calves in crates, the milk substitute contains iron. White continental veal can only be produced from anaemic animals fed on a diet lacking iron and roughage. The straw will allow the calves' digestive systems to develop normally and prevent them suffering near-constant diarrhoea.
Martin Potter, head of the RSPCA's farm animals department, described the system as an "extremely positive development" and said he would be happy to eat veal from the unit. Peter Stevenson, of Compassion in World Farming, was more guarded: "I'm not thrilled by any veal-rearing system but there is a big difference between the veal crate and this type of loose housing system," he said.
Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments