More than a quarter of a million dairy calves were exported or shot at birth last year after being deemed surplus to the requirements of the dairy and beef industry. This statistic is worrying the Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) charity, who have been campaigning for better animal welfare for nearly 40 years.
Female calves are born to produce milk, whilst male calves are generally deemed surplus to requirements as they are unable to produce milk and are considered unsuitable for beef. Many are separated from their mother at birth and taken to the continent to be reared for veal. The animals are transported in tiny spaces with hundreds of other calves, suffering distress, injuries and severe weight loss. The calves are then cramped into terrible conditions with no bedding and fed on a low iron diet to keep their flesh pale.
The Compassion in World Farming charity is working to encourage farmers to change from breeds designed purely for maximum milk yield, and to dual-purpose breeds which are also suitable for beef production. They are also currently lobbying governments across the world to replace a trade in live animals with a trade in meat, and to tighten limits on journey times for animals transported for fattening or slaughter.
Having been instrumental in securing the EU ban on veal crates which came into effect last year, the CIWF need your support to help create a better life for the billions of other animals across the world each year farmed for food. With your help they can try and put an end to the suffering today.
> > click here to make a donation and find out more about the work of the CIWF
