UK calves need our help

Dutch veal calves

Nearly 100,000 calves a year are being sent on long journeys to the continent, following the lifting of the ten-year ban imposed under Europe’s BSE restrictions in 2006.

A dairy cow has to give birth once a year in order to produce milk. If she gives birth to a female calf,  that calf may join the dairy herd. However, a male dairy calf is not needed as they do not produce milk and their meat is viewed as inferior by the UK beef industry. They are either exported at a few weeks old to a veal farm abroad, or killed at birth. A tragic waste of hundreds of thousands of healthy lives.

Some animals are still being transported to the port in Dover from as far away as Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. Many are taken as far as Spain, on journeys that can last 50 hours or more.

Calf welfare

Young calves are particularly vulnerable on long journeys, as their immune systems are not fully developed and they are very susceptible to heat and cold stress. Research and case studies reveal that, after transport, calves suffer from:

• weight loss
  
• increased levels of infection
• increased levels of mortality

Once on the continent, they are taken to veal farms, where they are often reared in conditions which would be illegal in the UK. Though narrow veal crates have now been banned across the EU thanks to our work, calves are often reared in barren systems on the continent, without bedding and on slatted floors. In the UK, the law demands that calves are provided with straw bedding, which we regard as essential for warmth and comfort.

What are the alternatives?

Higher welfare UK calf

Our campaign to end live export and calves being killed at birth will change the way we farm in the UK. We are working towards a solution where calves can be reared in high welfare systems in the UK for beef or rosé veal.

The farming industry is beginning to reject old prejudices about dairy bull beef, as studies show it has good eating qualities and is also extra lean. 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 this cruel trade.

Take action

Find out how you can help us campaign to stop live calf exports now