The EU ban on veal crates comes into operation in 2007, when veal crates will be replaced by group housing, but scientific evidence shows that these standards are still too low and would be rendered illegal in the UK.

There is therefore a need to establish common minimum standards for the protection of rearing calves or calves for fattening in order to ensure rational development of production.

The keeping of calves is an integral part of agriculture.

Reorientation is necessary and must be governed by two objectives: to transform the common agricultural policy into a system of safe food production and to extend such reforms beyond cattle farming and the current crisis by addressing the issue of battery rearing in general, rather than clearing up one mistake to go on to cause another.

8.3.7. As regards the rearing of calves, from 24 August 2000, all holdings, without derogation, must comply with Directive 91/629/EEC(3) laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves.

Whereas the harmonization of rules concerning the conditions of calf-rearing in the framework of the common organization of the markets is necessary to ensure the rational development of production under satisfactory conditions of competition; whereas in this regard it is recognized scientifically that calves should benefit from an environment corresponding to their needs as a herd-living species; whereas, for that reason, they should be reared in groups; whereas calves, both group-housed and individually penned, must have sufficient space for exercise, contact with other cattle, and for normal movements when standing ...[+++]up or lying down;