About 100,000 calves were needlessly shot in the UK last year. This shocking statistic has prompted well-know rare breeds farmer, Jimmy Doherty, to launched a campaign to get British rose veal into supermarkets.
Since the banning of the export of live calves and the rearing in creates system, veal has fallen out of favour with the British consumer. Consequently, the unwanted male calves from dairy farms are shot at birth. However, Tesco continues to sell veal meat imported from Germany, where the welfare standards are much lower. Animals are raised in the dark and given restricted diets to keep the meat white.
Rose veal from the UK comes from calves raised in light, airy environments with straw beds. This method of rearing has been approved by the RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming. If Tesco makes the swap, thousands of male calves will be able to enjoy a longer, healthier life.
Tesco made the same promise in 2008 and didn’t keep their word. Ask them to do so this time.
Dear Tesco,
We, the undersigned, support Jimmy Doherty’s campaign to get British rose veal meat into your supermarket.
In 2008 it was reported that Tesco would “phase out the sale of imported veal in favour of domestically reared calf meat,” (http://www.foodproductiondaily.com). However, it appears that you did not keep your word. The Jimmy and the Giant Supermarket programme on Channel 4, 29 May 2012, revealed that veal from Germany is currently sold in your supermarkets. It is important that you replace the sale of imported veal meat, which is raised in conditions below UK welfare standards, with humanely reared rose veal.
We ask you to uphold your commitment to British farmers and British consumers.
Thank you for your attention.
