Brittany Ferries does an about turn
Brittany Ferries stopped transporting live farm animals from the UK 30 years ago because of the cruelty and suffering involved. We were therefore shocked to find out that they made the decision to start carrying livestock trucks on their Rosslare to Cherbourg route, and will be carrying unweaned calves!
We immediately joined forces with a number of NGOs and wrote an open letter to Brittany Ferries asking them to reconsider this shameful decision!
This shocking announcement prompted Dame Joanna Lumley and Chis Packham, along with our own Pauline McLynn, Neil Hannon and Cathy Davey, to add their names to the letter, urging Brittany Ferries to reconsider getting embroiled in this cruel and controversial industry. Renowned veterinarian and journalist Pete Wedderburn, who believes that animals should not be made to suffer by travelling long distances for slaughter, has also given his support.
Unweaned calves in particular at risk
Brittany Ferries has stated it is important to note that they will not transport animals destined for slaughter, but where do they think these animals will end up? Whether going for fattening, breeding or to a dairy farm these animals will all end up in a slaughterhouse. Furthermore, our investigations have shown that unweaned calves exported to Spain and Romania have ended up in shipments to Libya and Israel when older. Not only does this involve long sea journeys, but these are countries known to have appalling animal welfare standards, particularly at slaughter, plus of course Israel is a country at war.
Scientific evidence shows that journeys over eight hours are detrimental to an animal’s health and wellbeing and they may suffer extremes of temperature, thirst, hunger and exhaustion. Unweaned calves are at particular risk because they have under developed immune systems, they are prone to illness and have no body fat to keep them going during the long, stressful journey. This is worsened by the fact they cannot be fed whilst stuck in a crowded truck, and investigations conducted by Ethical Farming Ireland and Eyes on Animals have shown these animals can go without feed for 30 hours during the journey from assembly centre in Ireland to the feeding station in France. That is not an acceptable way to treat a 15 day old calf.
Brittany Ferries is full aware of the feeding issue with unweaned calves
We have previously communicated our concerns around the export of unweaned calves to senior management at Brittany Ferries in a joint letter, after we heard a rumour in 2023 that they may resume involvement in this cruel and outdated trade. Not only that, we sent them the audit report by the European Commission that concluded these journeys breach legislation because calves are not being fed after the maximum 19 hour limit. It’s really surprising that a company that prides itself on it’s animal welfare policy has done an about turn and involved the company in a trade that likely breaches EU law. They cannot claim they don’t know about these issues!
Unforgetable experience
It is rather ironic that the company’s latest marketing campaign promises customers they can ‘set sail for unforgettable adventures in France.’ They certainly will not forget the haunting cries of tiny calves, bawling with hunger as they will already have gone without feed for many hours before the ferry journey from Rosslare even begins.
The policy decision, reported in Agriland on 27 February 2025 means Brittany Ferries now joins Irish Ferries and Stena Line in transporting hundreds of thousands of animals to mainland Europe every year, despite growing pressure from international animal welfare NGOs, scientists, MEPs and the public to get this cruelty and suffering stopped.
P&O is now the only ferry company with any morals, as it continues to refuse to export live animals for fattening and slaughter!
What can you do to help?
Please message Brittany Ferries and tell them how disgusted you are that they have decided to prop up a cruel and outdated industry. These journeys are particularly risky and harmful for unweand calves.
Email: customer.services@brittanyferries.com and reservations@brittanyferries.ie
CEO Christopher Mathieu: Christophe.Mathieu@brittany-ferries.fr
Chairman Jean-Marc Roué: jean-marc.roue@brittany-ferries.fr
Call them on 021 427 7801
Leave comments on their social media posts and share our posts, tagging Brittany Ferries. Their new campaign promises customers an unforgettable experience. Let’s ensure potential customers know they will be sharing a boat with thousands of hungry and exhausted tiny calves!
Instagram: brittanyferries Twitter: @BrittanyFerries Facebook: Brittany Ferries
We got some great coverage of the letter in the Irish Independent: Joanna Lumley and Pauline McLynn among celebrities slamming Brittany Ferries decision on livestock exports from Rosslare
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