What's so bad about veal?

[Helen Troy]

As an outsider looking in at USA, through the window of movies, magazines, books, tv and such, I sometimes stumble across things I don't understand. And that is just irritating.

The thing I wonder about right now is that I have noticed that a some Americans seems to think that eating veal is really mean. Although they eat other "baby" animals like chicken. Why is veal supposed to be so bad? Im just curious!

 

[Smithy]

Hi Helen,

The problem I think you are referring to is "milk fed veal" where the calf traditionally hasn't been weaned from its mother before slaughter.

Many people do not like the idea of eating such a young animal (although a lot of "milk fed veal" now is slightly older animals who are fed a special diet milk or milk formula - and that has ethnical questions for many in itself).

HTH.

 

[Edward]

Also, I remember that before certain legal changes in Europe, veal calves were kept in tiny pens - like battery hens - which was considered to be cruel.

 

[eightbore]

These are the folks who are sadly infected with....

Quasi-vegetarian Aesthetic Psychosis! The reality is that some people eat meat unless the animal is (was) deemed "cute" by completely arbitrary human standards. These are the same folks who lose their minds when you talk about hunting deer (too beautiful) but have no problem with hunting wild boar. Nevermind the fact that most vegetarians who give me a hard time for eating meat or hunting are more than happy to wear leather shoes to avoid inconveniencing themselves for the sake of their OWN principles. In other words, those of us eating the calf are horrifically cruel but killing its mother for the sake of some nice knee high riding boots is perfectly alright.

Personally, the only problem I have with veal is when it is overcooked.

 

[Ada Veen]

look at its little eyes!
it's saying "why do you want to eat me, when I love you and want to hug you and snuggle you and kiss you and be your pet?"

 

[Helen Troy]

Allright, I'll hug it and kiss it first, it is darned cute. Then I will make it my cuddly cute little dinner..... Don't mind me, I'm only your resident norwegian viking barbarian! I'm so evil I even eat whale...

Thanks for the explanations, everybody. But I still wonder. Anybody knows when this idea started, and why?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

The problem with veal is very similar to the problem with fois gras. The treatment of the animal. Force feeding a cow as much milk as it can take in. This is not a cow that has been killed while still suckling. it's lucky if it's ever seen its mother. Same deal as force feeding a goose to make its liver gigantic.

The argument that you cannot eat meat and be interested in animal rights is pitiful.

bk

 

[Helen Troy]

The problem with veal is very similar to the problem with fois gras. The treatment of the animal. Force feeding a cow as much milk as it can take in.

That is what is actually an argument that makes sense to me.(I don't mind eating the animals, no matter how cute, but I do care about how we treat them.) I guess that argument is the root of the original anti-veal idea, so you explained it all to me now. Thanks!

BTW, would discussing the topic further lead to a political discussion that we are not supposed to have, or would it be OK?

 

[Smithy]

This is not a cow that has been killed while still suckling.

bk

Actually BK, that was traditionally the meaning of the term in some countries and still is in various parts of the world. Although I'll grant you now that in certain countries (where it is legal) the "foie gras" approach is quite true and refers to these force fed animals.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Yes, i realise that it was the traditional meaning and you can still get veal like this if you look hard enough and know the specialist butchers (and frankly i wouldn't mind veal that came from a still-suckling cow). The youth of the cow is not the issue for me. I was making the point that "these days" most of the veal you see is not produced this way. Mostly it's from force fed cattle.

bk

 

[Woland]

Sentimentality.
A young animal will naturally have suffered less because of its shorter lifespan within the "meat-machine".

As a dedicated meat-eater I find these reactions strange indeed.
What is even stranger is:
Prohibition of Horse Slaughter and Sale of Horsemeat for Human Consumption .

Weird...
Horsemeat is a treat!

 

[Smithy]

Yes, i realise that it was the traditional meaning and you can still get veal like this if you look hard enough and know the specialist butchers (and frankly i wouldn't mind veal that came from a still-suckling cow). The youth of the cow is not the issue for me. I was making the point that "these days" most of the veal you see is not produced this way. Mostly it's from force fed cattle.

bk

Very true BK.

Back home in NZ, a lot of butchers shops call it "bobby calf" now to differentiate it from those connotations and ideas of being force fed.

 

[Rooster]

As an outsider looking in at USA, through the window of movies, magazines, books, tv and such, I sometimes stumble across things I don't understand. And that is just irritating.

The thing I wonder about right now is that I have noticed that a some Americans seems to think that eating veal is really mean. Although they eat other "baby" animals like chicken. Why is veal supposed to be so bad? Im just curious!

The problem here in the USA is we have a bunch of busy bodies that can't keep their nose in their own business and insist that the green way is the only way. Live by their rules or you are an out cast. these are also the same people that preach diversity and tolerance.....I've never been able to quite figure that one out.lol
Another problem is we are nearly a completely urban society and no longer have any idea where our food comes from nor what it takes to raise that food. Pretty pitifull really.

 

[Spitfire]

Two observations:

Some years ago I talked to a kid on a farm, while looking at his own petcalf.
I asked him, if it had a name. Sure the kid said: Atlas.
(Which is also the name of a refrigerator brand)
And he went on - 'cause, thats where he is going to end up!

While walking in a forrest I passed an old traditionel pub. Ouside was a sign with a large Disneydrawing and the copy:
Todays menu: BAMBISTEAKS

The petcalf had a wonderfull life until it was time.
And I guesse all the deers running around in the woods had it too.

 

[Feraud]

The argument that you cannot eat meat and be interested in animal rights is pitiful.

:eusa_clap Thank you for this comment. This indeed becomes the crux of every single discussion on the subject.
The two groups line up and start hurling negative comments towards the other side.
It makes the conversation righteously boring..

 

[Baron Kurtz]

God, i said "animal rights". I meant "animal welfare". Same thing, almost, but not quite. Herein i correct myself.

bk

 

[eightbore]

Another problem is we are nearly a completely urban society and no longer have any idea where our food comes from nor what it takes to raise that food. Pretty pitifull really.

This is my favorite illustration of the degree to which the US is urban. Look at the vertical line through the center country....this is the general demarcation between where most vegetarians live and where most carnivores reside (except for within 100 miles of the west coast.

 

[eightbore]

The petcalf had a wonderfull life until it was time.
And I guesse all the deers running around in the woods had it too.

Happy and free critters taste better.

 

[Samsa]

Another problem is we are nearly a completely urban society and no longer have any idea where our food comes from nor what it takes to raise that food. Pretty pitifull really.

My decision to become vegetarian, and my fast approaching move to veganism, is precisely because I AM aware of where my food is (or used to be) coming from.

 

[Nathan Flowers]

This thread will really only be a contentioius argument, and as such, it's closed.