What is 'ethical' veal?

Supermarkets want us to buy UK-reared veal because the welfare standard of calves is much higher. But what is "ethical" veal?

It's safe to say veal has an image problem in this country. For years even hardened carnivores have found it hard to stomach.

It accounts for just 0.1% of the meat bought in Britain and fewer than one in 100 households buy and eat it, according to the English Beef and Lamb Executive. This is mainly down to images of baby calves packed into crates and being exported to mainland Europe.

But veal is making a return to the nation's menus and some supermarkets have announced they are to ban imported veal and promote the more "ethical" home-reared meat because the welfare standard of calves is higher. So what is better about it?

Calves reared for veal in the UK are legally required to have bedding, more space and a better diet. Conditions meet the welfare standards of both Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) and the RSPCA.

Marks & Spencer has already stopped selling imported veal and Tesco has now pledged to phase it out in favour of the British-reared meat.

Veal is a result of the dairy industry. Cattle are encouraged to give birth to bring on milk, but an estimated half a million male calves born each year are not needed by farmers and are mostly considered to make bad beef.