Irish authorities repeatedly ignore the science!
Every year in excess of 150,000 unweaned calves are exported from Ireland to mainland Europe, with the main markets being Spain and the Netherlands. This involves a 17 -19 hour ferry journey, from Rosslare or Dublin port to Cherbourg, during which the calves cannot be fed. Total journey time to the first resting point, where the calves are unloaded and fed, can exceed 24 hours, with gaps between feed being much longer. Unweaned calves are dependent on milk and it’s not possible to feed them whilst crammed in a truck. The industry has been under increased scrutiny in recent years, with an audit by the EU Commission confirming the journeys breach legislation as the feeding requirements are not met.
There have been seven studies conducted on the impact of long distance transport on unweaned calves, focusing on journeys from Ireland to the Netherlands. These studies were conducted between 2022 and 2025 and were financially supported by Teagasc, the Irish national body responsible for research, training, and advisory services for the agri-food sector. The studies looked at the impact of prolonged feed deprivation, journey length, age of calves, pre and post transport feeding protocols, and the effectiveness of fitness for transport assessment methods. They all concluded that unweaned calves are negatively impacted by these journeys, with dehydration, muscle fatigue, low energy and hypoglycaemia being the main issues, along with respiratory illness. Age variations and larger feeds before transport bore little impact on the calves and current fitness for transport checks were deemed to be ineffective, with lung disease undetected in a large number if calves.
Worringly the studies also confirmed that calves are blanket dosed with antibiotics after arriving at the veal farm. They all received one antibiotic treatment shortly after arrival, then an additional two courses of metaphylactic batch antibiotics in week 1 and week 2 post arrival at the veal farm. The type of antibiotics administered included Tilmicosin, which is classified as high-risk for both human safety and antimicrobial resistance.
Yet bizarrely the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) repeatedly ignores all of these studies every time calf export comes up, and instead keeps falling back on two old studies that found that Irish calves required less antibiotics on arrival at a veal farm than calves from other member states, and had a lower mortality than some member states.
Recently, in an attempt to defend the industry, after it had come under the spotlight in Dutch media, DAFM shamelessly claimed that “Independent data on the health and welfare of Irish calves shows that they have significantly lower mortality and lower antibiotic usage compared to calves transported from other Member States indicating that they arrive in good condition to other Member States.” However, in the study DAFM is referring to the mortality rate for Irish calves was fourth highest on day 7 at the veal farm, and higher than the average, so this claim is disingenuous. DAFM ignores this and instead focuses on day 56 where Irish calves had the fourth lowest mortality rate. The mortality rate at two months after arrival would not be due to the impact of long distance transport, studies have shown that the calves recover usually within three weeks. The most relevant figure is at 7 days, as that is when the calves will be most impacted by the journey. The other study DAFM is referring to was conducted in 2015 and found that Irish calves required 30% less antibiotics on arrival than calves from other member states. The study stated this may be due to the fact that Ireland follows spring calving so the calves tend to be stronger when exported than other member states. It is not indicative of the impact of prolonged feed deprivation.
Calf transport studies
Effect of source and journey on physiological variables in calves transported by road and ferry between Ireland and the Netherlands 26 September 2023
Summary: this study examined how long-distance transport affects the health and welfare of young unweaned calves exported from Ireland to Dutch veal farms. Researchers followed 66 calves during two commercial export journeys in 2022 with blood samples, body weight, and health indicators measured at several stages of transport, including the assembly center, ferry crossing, French lairage, and arrival in the Netherlands
Key findings: transport caused significant physiological changes in calves, particularly between the Irish assembly centre and the French lairage stage of the journey. Many blood markers linked to stress, dehydration, energy deficit, and inflammation exceeded normal reference ranges during transport and on arrival at the veal farms. Calves showed signs of negative energy balance suggesting prolonged hunger or insufficient feeding during transport. Calves sourced through livestock marts had poorer physiological indicators at the beginning of transport than calves sourced directly from farms, including higher stress and inflammatory markers.
Main conclusions: the study concluded that long-distance transport involving road and ferry travel between Ireland and continental Europe causes substantial physiological stress in young calves and pushes several welfare-related indicators beyond normal limits. The findings suggest that both journey conditions and calf sourcing practices influence calf welfare outcomes. Researchers highlighted the need for improved transport management, especially regarding feeding, journey duration, and handling practices, to reduce stress and welfare risks during export transport.
Observational study: effect of varying transport durations and feed withdrawal on the physiological status and health of dairy calves 13 January 2025
Summary: this study investigated how transport length and periods without feeding affected the welfare of 115 unweaned dairy calves. Researchers compared three transport systems: short domestic transport in Ireland, long international transport from Ireland to the Netherlands, and short Dutch transport combined with prolonged feed withdrawal. Calves were monitored through blood tests, health scoring, and weight measurements during transport recovery over a three-week period. The aim was to distinguish whether calf welfare problems were driven more by journey duration or by fasting/feed deprivation.
Key findings: calves exposed to longer periods without feed showed clear signs of metabolic stress, including abnormal glucose and sodium levels on arrival. Internationally transported calves experienced the greatest physical strain, with elevated lactate and potassium levels indicating muscle fatigue and dehydration associated with long journeys. International calves lost more body weight during transport than calves transported shorter distances within Ireland.The study found that prolonged feed withdrawal appeared to have a greater effect on calf welfare than transport duration itself.
Main conclusions: the researchers concluded that feed deprivation during transport is a major welfare concern for unweaned calves and may be more damaging than journey duration alone. Long-distance transport still contributed additional physical stress, particularly muscle fatigue and weight loss, but minimizing fasting periods was identified as the most important welfare intervention. The study supports stronger attention to feeding intervals, rest management, and transport practices for young calves involved in both national and international transport systems.
Summary: this study investigated whether providing milk replacer to calves during ferry transport could reduce the welfare impacts of long-distance export journeys. Researchers monitored unweaned calves transported from Ireland to continental Europe and compared calves that were fed during the ferry crossing with calves that were not fed. The study assessed physiological indicators, behaviour, activity levels, and clinical health measures before, during, and after transport.
Key findings: calves that were not fed during transport showed stronger indicators of hunger and negative energy balance. Providing milk replacer during the ferry crossing improved several physiological welfare indicators and helped calves maintain a more stable metabolic state. However, there were practical difficulties with feeding calves during the ferry journey including difficulty accessing calves inside transport pens, challenges safely preparing and delivering milk replacer on a moving vehicle and uneven milk intake between calves. Plus despite the benefits of feeding, long-distance transport still caused measurable stress and physiological disruption in all calves.
Main conclusions: the researchers concluded that feeding unweaned calves during long-distance ferry transport can significantly improve calf welfare by reducing the effects of prolonged fasting and helping maintain energy balance. However, feeding alone did not eliminate all transport-related stress. The study supports the introduction of practical feeding strategies during long journeys as an important welfare improvement measure for transported calves, but states that “the practical use of the on-board feeding system was difficult, perhaps even impossible in its current form within the context of transport by sea and the variability of real-life sea conditions.”
Summary: this study investigated whether increasing milk intake before and after long-distance transport could reduce the welfare impacts experienced by unweaned calves exported from Ireland to the Netherlands. Researchers followed 116 calves during commercial ferry and road transport lasting approximately 53.5 hours. Calves were assigned to different feeding protocols before transport (either one smaller milk feed or two larger milk feeds) and after transport (standard milk allowance or 25% extra milk). Blood samples, hydration indicators, stress markers, and growth rates were monitored during transport and recovery.
Key findings: calves given two larger milk feeds before transport had significantly better energy balance during the journey. Better-fed calves also showed reduced dehydration during transport. Calves provided with 25% more milk after transport achieved higher average daily weight gain during the three-week recovery period. The study reinforced previous evidence that prolonged fasting during transport contributes substantially to negative energy balance, dehydration, and physiological stress in unweaned calves. Despite nutritional improvements, transport itself still imposed considerable physiological strain associated with long-duration road and ferry travel.
Main conclusions: the researchers concluded that improving feeding protocols before and after long-distance transport can meaningfully reduce some of the negative welfare impacts experienced by unweaned calves, particularly hunger, dehydration, and impaired energy balance. However, the study confirmed that long-distance transport itself remains a significant welfare challenge for young calves, even when feeding strategies are improved.
Comparison of thoracic ultrasonography (TUS), clinical respiratory scoring (CRS), and blood analysis to evaluate respiratory dysfunction in transported calves 11th February 2026
Summary: this study focused on calves transported from Ireland to the Netherlands and examined how well three methods detect respiratory disease in calves transported long distances: clinical respiratory scoring (CRS); thoracic ultrasonography (TUS); blood inflammatory markers. Respiratory disease is a major welfare issue in transported calves and current fitness for transport checks rely heavily on visible clinical signs. These checks determine whether animals are legally allowed to travel.
Key findings: many calves had lung lesions before transport with just 47% of calves having healthy lungs and around 25% had moderate or severe lung lesions. This means that calves deemed fit for transport often already have respiratory disease. The study also found that disease increased after transport with lung lesions most common 7 days after transport. At this stage 72% of calves had lung lesions and after three weeks, just 42% had healthy lungs, despite multiple antibiotic treatments. Current clinical checks missed many diseased calves. Ultrasound checks found lung lesions in 60% of calves that appeared clinically healthy. This shows that standard clinical inspections may fail to detect a large proportion of diseased calves whereas ultrasound provides a more accurate indication of respiratory disease.
Main conclusions: long distance transport is associated with a major increase in respiratory disease, and recovery is incomplete even with antibiotics. Lung lesions were common before and after transport with clinical scoring alone proving unreliable for detecting disease. Ultrasound is more sensitive and better reflects immune status. Disease risk is not limited to the transport, it begins earlier, at marts and assembly centres, where exposure to multiple pathogens, along with the stresses the calves endure, weakens immunity. Calves at this age do not have a fully functioning immune system and these factors contribute to respiratory disease after transport
Pre-transport risk factors for severity of respiratory associated symptoms in unweaned calves following long-distance transport 23rd February 2026
Summary: this study investigated which calves are most likely to develop respiratory disease after long-distance transport from Ireland to the Netherlands. Researchers followed calves transported on commercial road–ferry journeys and examined whether pre-transport factors — including thoracic ultrasound findings, breed, body weight, sex, source, and clinical respiratory scores — could predict post-transport respiratory problems. The study aimed to improve understanding of which calves are less resilient to transport stress despite being considered legally fit for transport.
Key findings: calves with abnormal pre-transport thoracic ultrasound findings were significantly more likely to develop respiratory disease signs after transport. Ultrasound proved more predictive than standard clinical respiratory scoring alone. Holstein-Friesian dairy calves showed more severe respiratory-related changes after transport than Holstein-Friesian × beef-cross calves. Lighter-weight calves were more vulnerable to post-transport respiratory problems and showed stronger inflammatory responses than heavier calves. Calves sourced through livestock marts showed some increased respiratory risk compared with calves sourced directly from farms. The study reinforced evidence that long-distance transport suppresses calf resilience and increases susceptibility to bovine respiratory disease in the weeks after arrival.
Main conclusions: the researchers concluded that certain calves are at substantially higher risk of transport-associated respiratory disease, even when they meet existing legal fitness-for-transport requirements. Pre-transport thoracic ultrasound, low body weight, and dairy breed type were identified as important risk factors for poorer respiratory outcomes after transport. The study suggested that current visual fitness assessments may be insufficient to protect vulnerable calves and that more advanced screening methods, including thoracic ultrasound, could improve welfare protection during long-distance calf transport.
Summary: this study examined whether older calves and increased milk feeding before transport could improve calf resilience during long-distance export journeys. Researchers followed 138 male dairy calves transported commercially from Ireland to the Netherlands via road and ferry over approximately 51 hours. Calves were divided by age group (2–3 weeks or 4–5 weeks old) and by pre-transport feeding protocol (2 L or 4 L of milk replacer before departure). Researchers measured blood biomarkers, body weight, hydration status, energy balance, muscle fatigue, and stress responses during transport and recovery.
Key findings: long-distance transport and prolonged fasting caused substantial physiological disruption in calves regardless of age or feeding treatment. Calves given 4 L of milk replacer before transport had somewhat better energy balance and hydration indicators than calves fed only 2 L. Younger calves weighed less overall than older calves, but age had relatively limited effects on most physiological stress indicators. Despite some benefits from larger milk feeds, transport still resulted in signs of dehydration, negative energy balance, and physiological stress across all groups. Recovery occurred over time, but the study reinforced concerns that multi-day transport combined with extended feed deprivation places major strain on unweaned calves.
Main conclusions: the researchers concluded that increasing milk intake before transport can modestly improve calf energy balance and hydration, but these measures alone are insufficient to prevent the negative welfare effects associated with prolonged fasting and long-distance transport. The study found little evidence that slightly older calves were substantially more resilient to transport stress than younger calves.
The science is clear
These journeys cause immense harm and suffering to young and vulnerable animals, who should be with their mothers not packed off to veal and fattening farms. It is time the Irish authorities acknowledged these studies and stopped approving these journeys. Instead they are using over a million euro of tax payers money to develop a truck with a feeding system, which is unlikely to be viable. Plus studies have shown that even when calves were fed mid journey, long-distance transport still caused measurable stress and physiological disruption. The dairy industry needs a good shake up. Farmers must take care of the animals they are breeding. The majority of dairy calves, including males, are kept in Ireland and reared for beef, there is no reason why they all can’t be. There is a growing movement in the dairy sector globally where calves are kept with their mothers, rather than being separated at birth. It is a much kinder way to do dairy and we would like to see farms like that in Ireland.
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