Veal Crates and Veal Pens

  Veal crates are small, confined stalls where young calves are raised, often with limited space and movement, typically measuring 26-30 inches wide by 66 inches long. Similarly, veal pens are small, enclosed pens that isolate and sometimes chain the baby cow inside to prevent it from moving. This restricted movement is done to prevent muscle development. (18).  They are socially isolated, left in the dark, and often strictly milk-fed which subject them to sickness and disease. (19). This intense confinement of a young animal is extremely inhumane and leads to psychological trauma, physical abnormalities, once again increasing the risk of sickness and disease.

 Only about 13 percent of veal operations in the United States are covered by a crate ban, that being only 9 states. Veil confinement has been attributing to corporate and industrial farming abuse and neglect unseen by the American consumer. The United Kingdom has banned them since 1990, and the European Union has banned them as well (20). Section 4 will permanently end this exploitation, across all 50 states.

Section 4 Legislation

We need this legislation because veal crates and similar confinement systems severely restrict calves’ ability to move and undermine basic animal welfare. Prohibiting these systems in factory farms and animal facilities will ensure calves can engage in essential natural behaviors such as standing, lying down, turning around, and walking. Confinement should only be allowed when temporary and compliant with established animal welfare standards.