Kentucky Bans the Use of Veal Crates on Farms

Kentucky has become the eighth state to ban the commercial veal cultivation practice in which baby cows are forced to live in confining cages for their whole lives. The decision was issued by the Kentucky Livestock Care Standards Commission, a government body consisting of, among other members, a veterinarian, farmers, the dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, and four Governor-appointees. The state has allowed a phase-out period of approximately four years, but by 2018, the veal crates will be completely eliminated from KY farms. Animal-advocate group the Humane Society of the United States commended the KLCSC, but noted that more ethical farming improvements need to be made. “The commission made important progress by banning cruel veal crates,” says HSUS Kentucky State Director Pam Rogers, “but it has a lot more work to do to fulfill its mandate of creating meaningful standards of care.”