Today (20th March), together with dozens of NGOs, thought-leaders, celebrities and scientists, we have written a letter to Brittany Ferries urging the company to reconsider its decision to resume the inhumane live export of farmed animals from Ireland to France.

The news, reported in Agriland on 27th February, comes just weeks after the 30-year anniversary of Brittany Ferries’ widely celebrated decision to stop carrying farmed animals from Britain to mainland Europe, due to the suffering it causes.

Widespread dismay

We immediately mobilised high-profile individuals including: Father Ted actress Pauline McLynn; Ab Fab star Dame Joanna Lumley; French personality Laurent Baffie; wildlife advocate Chris Packham; French activist Camille Etienne, chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall; international experts Professor Peter Singer, Jonathon Porritt and Professor John Webster; and NGOs including Ethical Farming Ireland, L214 and Eyes on Animals, to add their names to a letter urging the company to reconsider its terrible decision.

We are also urging supporters to join us in letting the company know that this u-turn is unacceptable by taking part in a hard-hitting social media campaign which references the company’s latest marketing campaign promising customers an ‘unforgettable experience’.

Extreme suffering

Transporting farmed animals across long distances often causes suffering and is fraught with welfare risks. Scientific evidence shows that animals may suffer extremes of temperature and are often deprived of sufficient rest, food or water. As sentient beings, they also experience fear and distress. Great Britain introduced a ban on the live export of farmed animals last year, yet the trade continues in the EU.

Deeply concerned

We are also deeply concerned that vulnerable unweaned calves may be included in the shipments – which are due to commence from Rosslare Port, County Wexford, to Cherbourg Port in France this month. Unweaned calves will have undergone a forced separation from their mother and therefore need to be fed milk replacer as a substitute.

If this is the case, the company could be in breach of EU regulations. Regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport stipulates feeding requirements for unweaned calves that cannot be met on the 18-hour ferry journeys from Ireland to France.

A huge backwards step

This change means Brittany Ferries now joins competitors, Irish Ferries and Stena Line, which continue to facilitate live animal exports for fattening and onward EU transport, despite growing pressure from international NGOs, scientists, and the public. P&O, however, continues to refuse to export live farm animals for fattening and slaughter.

Peter Stevenson, our Chief Policy Advisor, said: “For 30 years Brittany Ferries has been doing the right thing. Now, it has decided to prioritise profits over the welfare of sentient beings. This decision will expose thousands of animals to tremendous suffering on long journeys.

“The company’s own customers will likely be appalled at this decision and will not want to travel with suffering animals. We will do all we can to persuade Brittany Ferries to reverse this terrible decision and to stop this inhumane trade in live animals.”

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Brittany Ferries urged to stop return to live export trade