Dairy Calves Investigation in Belgium
In collaboration with:
Tracks investigated the dairy industry for GAIA - the leading animal protection organisation in Belgium.
Tracks provided crucial investigative footage to support our Belgian partner, GAIA's innovative "I Want Love" campaign. This poignant initiative is set to captivate hearts nationwide on Valentine's Day—a day emblematic of love, yet a stark reminder of the love denied to calves separated from their mothers at birth.
The campaign unfolds across multiple platforms, beginning with the launch of the dedicated website "jeveauxdelamour.be." Our investigative contributions are also showcased in a series of compelling videos on social media, designed to draw attention to the plight of these young animals. The message extends into the public sphere with billboards strategically placed across Belgium, from restaurants to cinemas, and is echoed in radio broadcasts, ensuring widespread reach on a day when the essence of love is celebrated, urging a reflection on the compassion owed to all beings.
Dairy Industry in Belgium
Every year in Belgium, a staggering 300,000 calves are raised and slaughtered each year in Belgium.
On the vast majority of dairy farms, these innocent beings are torn from their mothers’ mere hours after coming into the world—a practice that inflicts profound emotional trauma on both the calves and their mothers. This unnatural separation has been scientifically linked to severe emotional distress, as these young animals are deprived of the maternal bond crucial for their development.
The cruelty doesn't end there; post-separation, these calves are isolated in solitary pens, a stark contrast to their inherent need for social interaction and play. This isolation only compounds their stress, further exacerbating their suffering.
This is the bleak reality faced by these gentle creatures, a cycle of suffering sanctioned by the dairy industry.
Our Findings
In theground breaking investigation we exposed the grim reality of dairy calf exploitation on numerous farms across Belgium. The footage we obtained reveals a world of cruelty where calves are imprisoned in barren plastic hutches and cramped enclosures, deprived of their basic needs and the comfort of their mothers' presence.
These young animals suffer from severe neglect, evidenced by alarming health issues such as rampant diarrhoea and the indignity of living atop slatted floors caked in their own faeces. The emotional toll of early maternal separation can be witnessed in their distressed behaviours, a clear sign of their profound suffering.
This investigation highlights the urgent need for a shift away from the inherently cruel dairy industry. It is a call to action for individuals to reject dairy products and opt for compassionate plant-based alternatives. As advocates for animal rights, we must tirelessly work towards ending the commodification of all animals and champion a future where exploitation is replaced by respect and kindness.
To watch some footage from the investigation click here
GAIA is calling on the Flemish minister for Animal Welfare to introduce effective legislation to improve on and protect welfare standards for dairy calves.
Investigation featured in multiple media outlets including:
Tracks Investigations has undertaken over 295 investigative film projects supporting over 40 conservation, environmental and animal protection NGOs since its inception in 2006. Learn more about how you can work with us here. To support our investigative work for animals, click here.