No Veal Campaign Protests Treatment Of Milk Fed Calves

Article #7: ‘No veal’ campaign protests treatment of milk-fed calves by Michael J. Conlon

United Press International

WASHINGTON—The Humane Society of the United States is trying to discourage Americans from
eating milk-fed veal because, it says, the animals are cruelly treated.

In a nationwide “no veal this meal” campaign, the society charges that most vealer calves raised for slaughter are isolated in narrow stalls and fed liquid diets low in iron “so the flesh stays ‘fashionably white.’ “

The campaign features ads in The New York Times and New York magazine as well as business-type cards that are being distributed to consumers to leave in restaurants where milk-fed veal is served.

“Dear Restaurateur,” reads the card. “I enjoyed my meal here, but did not choose a veal entree because I believe milk-fed veal is inhumanely raised. I would prefer it if you did not offer this veal on your menu.”

The group says most white veal that winds up on the nation’s dinner tables “comes from calves raised in total confinement. Isolated in narrow stalls for their whole lives. Unable to turn around. Denied roughage.”

The society said that need not be the case.

Veal raised in Britain, it said, are “housed in group pens, provided straw bedding, permitted to feed at will and to ruminate. Whether American veal producers will decide to adopt this system is uncertain.”

It said one major domestic veal producer, Provimi Inc., had announced it will begin testing the British system as an alternative.

The society said it is urging support for legislation introduced by Rep. Ron Mottl, D-Ohio. His bill would establish a Farm Animal Husbandry Committee “to investigate how all farm animals—including veal calves—are raised under conditions of intensive confinement.”

It said this is the first piece of legislation introduced in Congress to address directly the welfare of farm animals.

(Reprinted from the St. Petersburg Times, Jan. 7, 1982)