HUNDREDS more British-born dairy calves are due to be shipped from Dover to the continent tonight to be reared in veal farms.

This latest sailing comes less than a fortnight after 1,000 calves left the UK for the first time in a decade on May 5 and follows the lifting of the ban on the export of beef which was imposed because of BSE.

Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) say they are deeply concerned by this continuation of the calf export trade, despite the clear health and welfare risks it poses to calves.

Rowen West-Henzell, CIWF communications officer said: "We have stated time and time again that it is not acceptable to send calves on long stressful journeys to farming systems which are unlikely to meet UK standards.

"Some of these calves are travelling all the way over to the continent from Wales and Scotland - on journeys that could last up to 20 hours.

"This is way beyond the eight-hour limit recommended by CIWF and poses serious health and welfare risks to calves, who we know travel badly anyway."

The shipment is due to leave at midnight from Dover's Eastern Docks. Campaigners held a protest rally and march at the port less than two weeks ago.