Brittany ferries cease live exports
The move has been hailed a ‘major victory’ by animal rights groups
Brittany Ferries is to cease live animal exports to France by the end of the year; the Breton ferry company is one of two companies that carry live animals from Ireland to mainland Europe with Irish Ferries also offering the service.
The service had resumed the export of live animals in March 2025, after 30 years of not engaging with the practice.
The decision has been met with outcry from several farming organisations, including Macra who claimed that “Young farmers need every possible market outlet if they are going to grow their businesses and get a fair return for their animal”.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Association likewise expressed concern, that the Department of Agriculture must not “simply assume that this gap will be filled”.
"Any reduction in transport capacity to mainland Europe has the potential to disrupt the trade, particularly for calf exports during the spring season. It is essential that exporters continue to have reliable and cost-effective access to European markets".
EXPORT VALUE
Bord Bia reports that the value of the live animal trade reached an estimated €480
million in 2025, a 40% increase on 2024. Cattle are the largest contributor, accounting
for 80% of overall value (€390 million), with the movement of live pigs to Northern Ireland valued at €85 million.
Bord Bia reported strong business in The Netherlands, Italy and Spain, while the number of animals traded to Poland has “grown strongly in recent years”.
There was also a steady demand for older animals from Northern Ireland, Spain, Italy and Greece in 2025.
ANIMAL RIGHTS
Animal rights groups have welcomed the news, with Ethical Farming Ireland, hailing tHe news as a “major victory” for animals.
“Brittany Ferries started transporting unweaned calves from Ireland last year in the full knowledge that they could not be fed during the 18-hour ferry journey to France, which is not only cruel it is in breach of EU legislation" said Caroline Rowley, executive director for Ethical Farming Ireland.
“After over a year of campaigning we are delighted that the CEO has finally made the principled choice to stop all involvement in this trade. Irish Ferries is now the only ferry company profiting from animal cruelty and suffering”.