Animal welfare and the intensive production of bovine meat.

After a brief review of the legal framework of animal protection applicable to cattle--including Council of Europe and European Union legislation, as well as French law--the main features of husbandry systems used in the intensive husbandry of veal calves and young cattle are analysed. For veal calves, the standards proposed at the European level do not take into account major differences in the age, weight and quality of veal produced by different Member States. In the case of red meat, the production of baby beef in intensive units leads to some behavioural anomalies, which could be remedied within economic restrictions compatible with the interests of producers and consumers.