Animal Care Statement

VFO Commitment to Animal Care 

October 2025

Together, Ontario’s veal farmers and Veal Farmers of Ontario (VFO) are committed to responsible livestock care and handling. Animals in our care deserve to be healthy, safe, and well-cared for, able to express normal behavior, and experience freedom from hunger, thirst, discomfort, pain, injury, disease, fear, and distress.

VFO strongly condemns any animal abuse and is respectful of the leadership roles of the agencies charged with monitoring animal care in Ontario. VFO works closely with the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) as part of the Ministry of the Solicitor General and has also been an active participant in Farm & Food Care Ontario’s “Animal Care Helpline” since 1992.

VFO supports the 2017 update to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Veal Cattle (the Code), developed through the National Farm Animal Care Council’s process. To learn more about the Code development process, visit https://www.nfacc.ca/code-development-process.

The Code is the national standard of care for Canada’s veal industry, and all producers are expected to meet or exceed its requirements. While VFO does not have the authority to enforce the Code, we fully support it and use it as a guide to help producers address on-farm challenges and make continuous improvements.

The Code was developed through science and collaboration, bringing together the latest knowledge on veal cattle care with practical, on-farm experience. By following the Code, producers show their commitment to raising healthy calves and maintaining the high level of care that Canadians expect from our industry.

Working with animals is important work that we take seriously. We are proud of what we do.