Scotland is central to the trade in calves because elsewhere in Britain ferry companies refuse to carry them

Scotland’s chief vet has condemned an “alarmist” BBC documentary into the plight of Scottish calves being exported to Europe, insisting the reports “distorted the reality” of the trade.

Sheila Voas defended the Scottish dairy industry, which she insisted “is responsible” and “cares about the welfare of these animals”. In a rare intervention she said suggestions Scottish calves could be sent to North Africa or the Middle East for slaughter were “unlikely” and there was no evidence to support the allegations. The BBC, however, has said it stands by its claims.

The move came as farming leaders lodged an official complaint about the BBC report, which they claim showed distressed cattle from Romania and Hungary, not Scotland. Andrew McCornick, president of the National Farmers’ Union in