Launched in 2024, the updated Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) program reflects a science-based technical review conducted by a nine-person advisory group that included university animal scientists, nutritionists, veterinarians and a USDA-ARS animal scientist. Leadership from AVA also contributed to the process of updating the program manual that serves as an educational resource outlining the expected outcomes for VQA certification.
According to the 18th annual Power of Meat report, 58 percent of shoppers think it would be helpful to have some kind of animal welfare ratings or certification for the meat they buy. The VQA program addresses this interest and demonstrates that animal welfare is a priority for veal raised in the U.S.
AVA member companies and veal farmers fully embrace and implement the expectations of the VQA program and remain committed to ensure animals are responsibly and ethically raised. VQA certification is validated by licensed veterinarians.
A significant shift in the 2024 edition of the VQA resource manual is the focus on Expected Outcomes directly addressing the Five Domains of Animal Welfare and providing defined processes, practices, and outcome measurements for achieving welfare goals. The “Five Domains” reflect the advancement of animal welfare science and the significance of promoting positive (physical, behavioral, and mental) states of welfare and minimizing negative states.
Jennifer Kauf, VMD, a private practice food animal veterinarian based in Pennsylvania and a member of the VQA Technical Review Group, had this to say about the change to the “Five Domains”, “This moves us from a model that is focused on the negative physical and mental states to a more valuative model that considers both positive and negative factors on the overall wellbeing of the animal. Farmers want to do the right thing on the farm and the VQA program provides them the framework to follow.”
The 100-page resource manual includes 52 Expected Outcomes addressing animal health, animal care and handling, facilities and environmental conditions, and general management, including emergency preparedness and employee training.
Another significant change was the addition of the first-ever body condition scores (BCS) for veal. Monitoring body condition and performance assessments show where calves are thriving and growing, and conversely, where there may be health and nutrition challenges. Body condition score or BSC is one approach to assessing the condition of the animal.
Healthy calves are a priority on our AVA member farms. The VQA certification manual is a tremendous resource for those raising formula-fed veal calves in the U.S. and we welcome the continued review and improvement of this program. To learn more, please visit: https://www.veal.org/veal-quality-assurance/
The AVA originally established VQA – then named the Guide for the Care and Production of Veal Calves – in 1990. Since then, the program has evolved and is now funded by the Beef Checkoff and managed by the North American Meat Institute.