In 2008, 115,000 male dairy calves were killed in the UK shortly after birth.

The dairy industry doesn’t want them; they’re the wrong gender for milk production; beef farmers don’t want them; they’re unsuitable for beef production.

Although in the UK more than a quarter of the population eats veal in restaurants - it’s not so widely available in supermarkets - most of the veal consumed is imported from intensive continental systems that don’t meet British animal welfare standards.

But on way of giving male dairy calves a better life is to rear them for British veal.

This means the calves are reared in groups, on straw and receive a better diet.

If British veal-eaters switched from imported to the high welfare British veal, the British farming industry would be able to give more calves a life worth living.

Please can I urge all your readers in Sandwell and the West Midlands area to choose British if they eat veal.

To get more information contact Compassion in World Farming on 01483 521 953 or email supporters@ciwf.org Miss Jenny Round, Oldbury.