Today (15 October), Irish Ferries rejected a call to take action to stop live calf exports from Ireland to France. This was in response to a formal legal letter stating that the long-distance transport of unweaned calves between Ireland and France breaches EU animal welfare law.

Submitted by us, FOUR PAWS and WELFARM two weeks ago, the legal notice called on the company to adhere to EU regulations and end its involvement in the cruel transport of unweaned calves. Together, we are calling on the company to take action, ensure that EU regulations and French law are adhered to, and put animal welfare before profits.

Suffering calves

This year alone, more than 160,000 unweaned calves, some as young as two weeks old, have been transported by sea from Ireland. By the time they arrive in France, they have already faced several hours on the road and around 18 hours at sea without food. Some are as young as two weeks old. This breaches EU animal welfare law.

Last one standing

In 2024, following years of campaigning from Compassion and other animal activist, we successfully banned live exports from Britain. While the ban remains, Irish Ferries, who operate from UK ports, are still profiting from the trade overseas.

Irish Ferries is the last remaining company to carry these young, vulnerable animals on its ships, after Stena Line and Brittany Ferries both withdrew within the past year. Brittany Ferries stopped in September, following tireless campaigning by us, our allies and supporters.

Irish Ferries cannot ignore its legal responsibilities – and the spotlight is now on the company to act. We will continue to explore all appropriate legal avenues to hold it to account.

Eloise Shavelar, our Global Head of Campaigns and Advocacy said:

Irish Ferries’ inaction is simply not good enough. EU law is in place to prevent hungry, exhausted calves making these long journeys. What’s more as other ferry companies have now withdrawn from the trade and with the Dutch authorities saying they will fine trucks carrying calves on these long journeys, it is clear that the tide has turned against this outdated and cruel practice. To stop the suffering of tens of thousands of vulnerable young calves, we will explore all legal options until the company recognises this.

Help protect calves

Our campaign to stop cruel calf transport from Ireland to mainland Europe is making great progress. Over 70,000 people across Europe have already called on Irish Ferries to stop, by contacting their customer service team.

Irish Ferries Rejects Calls to Stop Cruel Calf Transport