Veal calves should not be isolated in pens after birth, EU says

Published 2023년 3월 30일

Tridge summary

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recommended a change in the rearing conditions for veal calves, advising against their solitary confinement in the first few weeks of life. Instead, the authority suggests housing them in pairs or small groups, with adequate space for rest and play, and providing comfortable bedding. This recommendation is aimed at improving animal welfare and aligns with the natural behavior of calves. The current EU law, which permits calves to be kept in individual pens for up to eight weeks, is set to be phased out by the European Commission by 2027, marking a move towards banning cages in animal farming across the EU by 2027.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Veal calves should not be kept in individual pens during their first weeks of life in order to improve animal welfare, Reuters reported, citing the EU Food and Safety Authority (EFSA). Instead, they should be housed in pairs or small groups and have sufficient space to rest and play and be provided comfortable bedding, scientists at the EFSA said in a report. A newborn calf is usually removed from his mother immediately or a few hours after birth. Whereas, in nature, they lie together in groups whilst their mothers move off to graze. Every year more than 300 million farmed animals spend all or part of their lives in cages, pens or stalls, according to advocacy group Compassion in World Farming. "Separating the cow and her calf and confining the newborn in an individual pen causes great and prolonged distress to both," Compassion in World Farming said ...

Source: The Cattle Site