Why are hormones approved for beef cattle but not veal specifically?
In 2004 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined, due to dietary differences between beef cattle and veal, that veal calves may not be similar to beef in the way they metabolize drug compounds. Therefore, the FDA views veal calves as a different sub-class than beef cattle. Considering this new FDA directive, the veal industry does not represent a large enough economic incentive for the various pharmaceutical companies to pursue a new specific approval with the Veterinary Drug Directive (VDD). This lengthy registration process is very expensive and the North American veal industry is too small for the companies to rationalize obtaining a previously unneeded veal specific approval. Therefore, U.S. special fed veal producers voluntarily agreed to comply with the new 2004 FDA guidance prohibiting the use of hormonal implants, which has the added benefit of allowing our producers to meet a developing and rapidly growing market for hormone-free protein sources. What is happening
