Following Brittany Ferries’ refusal to stop transporting unweaned calves – despite several meetings with us and other NGOs – we’re stepping up the pressure, ahead of the peak export season.

Live exports cause immense suffering, subjecting animals to overcrowding, extreme temperatures, with no access to food and limited access to water.

Although this cruel practise was banned in Great Britain in 2024, it continues close to our shores with over 220,000 unweaned calves crossing from Ireland to France last year.

Brittany Ferries, which holds a significant UK client base, chose to resume in the trade despite a 30-year hiatus and we are calling on the UK public to urge the company to stop.

A breach of EU law

For over a year, the ferry company has been carrying tens of thousands of unweaned calves on its ships. By the time the ships reach France, the calves haven't been fed for over 18 hours. To carry unweaned calves for extended periods without food is in breach of EU animal welfare regulations.

In a series of face-to-face meetings – held jointly together with our partners FOUR PAWS and Welfarm – Brittany Ferries acknowledged that these journeys were in breach of EU law but concluded they would continue the cruel practice anyway.

Peak season

This month marks the start of peak calf export season. Young, vulnerable animals will be carried by Brittany Ferries and its competitor Irish Ferries in increasing numbers, from Ireland to France. From there, they will continue their gruelling onward journey by road to countries including the Netherlands, Spain and Poland which can last up to 50 hours.

The company’s failure to act at this crucial time in the export calendar means thousands more unweaned calves will suffer, unnecessarily.

A storm on the horizon

In response, we are joining forces with supporters and NGOs across Europe to highlight the company’s cruel decision. A coordinated ‘storm’ on social media will target Brittany Ferries for several weeks, ensuring its customers across the continent are aware of the cruelty from which it is profiting.

In a survey released last month, 83% of EU citizens expressed concern about the transport of very young and unweaned animals, with only 22% convinced that current protections were adequate. With current EU regulation on the protection of animals during transport more than 20 years old, and sometimes left unenforced, a revision is underway. However, progress remains slow.

Calves aren’t cargo

Charlotte Reid, our Deputy Director of Global Campaigns, said:

Brittany Ferries is in deep water. By carrying unweaned calves that go unfed for over 18 hours, it is in breach of EU animal welfare law – and the company knows it.

Cruelty is bad for business – their customers don’t want to travel on ferries where vulnerable young calves are suffering below deck. EU citizens, animal welfare experts and NGOs across the continent agree: calves aren’t cargo. That’s why our campaign will continue until live exports stop once and for all.

Join our wave of action

Take part in our social media storm. Use your voice by commenting on Brittany Ferries social posts to make it clear:

Calves aren’t cargo.
EU law is being broken on their ships.
You’re not on board with animal cruelty.

Brittany Ferries: Campaign to stop calf trade escalates