Veal

A Byproduct of the Cruel Dairy Industry

Cows produce milk for the same reason humans and other mammals do—to nourish their young. But the millions of cows who live on U.S. dairy farms are forced into a vicious cycle of continuous pregnancy so that they will produce milk for human consumption. Their female calves are slaughtered immediately or used to replace their mothers in the dairy herd, and many male calves suffer a fate that is completely different but no less cruel—one of confinement, darkness, malnutrition, and slaughter.

photo: Farm Sanctuary

Without human intervention, calves suckle from their mothers for nearly a year. One veterinary study revealed that “during natural weaning there is never complete and abrupt abandonment of the calf by the cow. In fact, the … cow and calf will maintain a lifelong relationship of social contact and companionship ….” Another study found that a cow and her calf can develop a “strong maternal bond” in as little as five minutes. But calves born on dairy farms are taken from their mothers the day they are born and fed milk replacers, including cattle blood, so that humans can have the milk instead. This forced separation causes cows and calves great stress, and cows have been known to escape enclosures and travel for miles to reunite with their young.

Veal calves are forced to spend their short lives in individual crates that are no more than 30 inches wide and 72 inches long. These crates are designed to prohibit exercise and normal muscle growth in order to produce tender “gourmet” veal. The calves are fed a milk substitute that is purposely low in iron so that they will become anemic and their flesh will stay pale.

Because of these extremely unhealthy living conditions, calves raised for veal are susceptible to a long list of diseases, including chronic pneumonia and diarrhea. A study published in the Journal of Animal Science found that calves who were kept in “smaller housing units” had difficulty keeping themselves clean and had trouble “extending their front legs and changing from a lying to a standing position,” which resulted in joint swelling. It was also determined that stereotypical stress behaviors such as tongue rolling and “sham-chewing” (the act of chewing without food in the mouth) increase when smaller pens were used and as calves get older.

After enduring 12 to 23 weeks in these conditions, these young animals—many of whom can barely walk because of sickness or muscle atrophy—are crowded into metal trucks for transport to the slaughterhouse. On these trucks, they are trampled and suffer from temperature extremes and lack of food, water, and veterinary care.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has never approved the use of hormones on veal calves, but in early 2004, federal officials found a “suspicious lump” in a Wisconsin calf, which turned out to be a hormone implant; hormone implants are commonly used in adult cows but are not allowed in young animals. The subsequent investigation revealed that as many as 90 percent of U.S. veal calves are illegally fed synthetic testosterone, and a spokesperson for the American Veal Association confessed that the practice had been going on for 30 years.

A decade prior to that discovery, federal agents found more than a dozen veal production companies that had been giving calves clenbuterol, an illegal and toxic drug that speeds growth and increases anemia in the calves. Even trace amounts of clenbuterol can cause severe illness in humans, including increased heart rate, tremors, breathing difficulties, fever, and even death.

Recently, federal charges have been issued against Select Veal Feeds Inc. for allegedly lacing feed with formaldehyde in order to lessen diarrhea and with potassium permanganate to ensure that the anemic calves’ flesh appeared even lighter. The company also faces a felony charge for lying to Food and Drug Administration inspectors.

How can you help veal calves? Well, don’t eat veal. And just as importantly, don’t consume dairy products—veal calves are a “coproduct” of the dairy industry. Discover the joy of soy instead! Fortified soy, almond, and rice milks provide calcium, vitamins, iron, zinc, and protein but contain no cholesterol. They are perfect for cereal, coffee, and soups and also work well in baked goods and other recipes. Check out our recipe section and be prepared to say goodbye to the danger and suffering of dairy and hello to the health of all of the other milks and ice creams and yummy stuff out there!

photo: Farm Sanctuary