For years, Irish calves are bought by Dutch producers that raise them for veal, a by-product of the Irish dairy industry. The Irish dairy industry is so massive (94% of Irish dairy is exported!) that they are happy that they can get rid of some of their unwanted calves. Dutch Van Drie is the main producer of veal meat, and almost runs a monopoly on this trade. However, this route is flawed with welfare problems as the unweaned calves go for 30-hours at a time without being fed, despite the EU feeding intervals requiring unweaned calves to be fed milk after 19hrs at the most. Eyes on Animals, together with L214 and Ethical Farming Ireland has been documenting this route for 6 years! We have followed calves from Irish farms to auctions to collecting stations and then onto large export trucks that go by ferry to northern France and onwards to Dutch factory veal farms. We have solid proof of this routine embreachment of the EU feeding laws. Our evidence is now being used by Dier & Recht Foundation (Animal & Justice Foundation). Their lawyers are launching a lawsuit against Van Drie for causing animal suffering and routinely supporting an illegal trade for profit.
