Cows produce milk for the same reason that 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.
The Cow-Calf Bond
Without human intervention, calves suckle from their mothers for
nearly a year.(1) 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 ….”(2) Another study found that a cow and her calf
can develop a “strong maternal bond” in as little as five minutes.(3) 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.(4,5) 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.
Small Stalls and No Exercise
Veal calves are forced to spend their short lives in individual
crates that are no more than 30 inches wide and 72 inches long.(6) 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.(7)
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 got older.(8)
After enduring 12 to 23 weeks in these conditions, these young animals, many
of whom can barely walk because of muscle atrophy or sickness, are crowded
into metal trucks for transport to the slaughterhouse.(9) On these trucks,
they are trampled and suffer from temperature extremes and lack of food,
water, and veterinary care.
Veal crates are prohibited in Britain, and the European Union has instructed
its members to phase them out by the end of 2007.(10) In the meantime, Dutch
farmers are required to keep calves in group pens.(11)
Federal Oversight of Illegal Drugs
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, commonly used in adult cows but not allowed in young animals.(12) The
subsequent investigation revealed that as many as 90 percent of U.S. veal
calves are illegally fed synthetic testosterone, and a spokesman for the
American Veal Association confessed that the practice had been going on for 30
years.(13)
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.(14)
What You Can Do
Ask your state legislators to sponsor bills that would prohibit the
use of veal crates. Check out
NoVeal.org
for more information.
In addition to refusing to eat veal, don’t consume dairy products—veal calves
are a “byproduct” of the dairy industry. Discover the joy of soy instead!
Fortified soy, almond, oat 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. Many
other delicious dairy alternatives—such as soy cheese, Tofutti Better Than
Sour Cream, Silk creamer, and Soy Delicious nondairy ice cream—are available
in health and grocery stores.
Vegetarianism and veganism mean eating for life—yours and animals’. Call
1-888-VEG-FOOD or visit
GoVeg.com for a
free vegetarian starter kit.
References(1) Joseph M. Stookey and Derek B. Haley, “The
Latest in Alternate Weaning Strategies,” Department of Large Animal Clinical
Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 2002.
(2) Ibid.
(3) Frances C. Flower and Daniel M. Weary, “Effects of Early Separation on the
Dairy Cow and Calf: 2. Separation at 1 Day and 2 Weeks After Birth,”
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 70 (2001): 275-284.
(4) David Goldstein, “Up Close: A Beef With Dairy,” KCAL, 30 May 2002.
(5) “Mad Cow Casts Light on Beef Uses,” Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan.
2004.
(6) Tammy L. Terosky et al., “Effects of Individual Housing Design
and Size on Special-Fed Holstein Veal Calf Growth Performance, Hematology, and
Carcass Characteristics,” Journal of Animal Science, 75 (1997):
1697-1703.
(7) “Top New York Restaurants Stop Serving White Veal,” Reuters, 6 Jul. 2000.
(8) Terosky et al.
(9) Elizabeth Weise, “Illegal Hormones Found in Veal Calves,” USA Today,
28 Mar. 2004.
(10) Nicholas Schoon, “Focus: The Hens Have Got Lucky; Battery Chickens May
Soon Have Their Suffering Eased, but It’s Still a Grim Existence for Millions
of Cows, Pigs, and Sheep,” The Independent, 31 Jan. 1999.
(11) “Veal Rules in Place,” MeatNews.com, 18 Jan. 2004.
(12) Ibid.
(13) Weise, “Growth Hormones in Veal Spark Debate. FDA Says They’re Illegal,
but Industry Says They’re Not New,” USA Today, 1 Apr. 2004.
(14) Daniel P. Puzo, “Probe Links Toxic Drug to Some Veal Producers,” The
Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 1994.
