Calves Aren’t Cargo

Calves transported on a truck in Belgium

Ending the transport of unweaned calves from Ireland to mainland Europe

Every year, hundreds of thousands of unweaned calves are transported on long ferry journeys from Ireland to mainland Europe. These calves, unwanted by the industry, are sent to be raised cheaply on fattening farms across Europe for veal or other products. Brittany Ferries chose to re-enter this cruel trade after 30 years. Together, we can pressure them to stop. In 2026, Brittany Ferries announced that it would stop transporting live farmed animals. But Irish Ferries remains the only company left to facilitate the trade of these animals on this route.

We are now calling on Irish Ferries to stop transporting unweaned calves and help end these long, exhausting journeys.

A major victory: Brittany Ferries stopped

After 18 months of campaigning, Brittany Ferries announced in August 2026 that it would end the transport of all live farmed animals on its vessels from 1 September 2026.

The campaign brought together animal welfare organisations and supporters across Europe. Hundreds of thousands of people contacted the company, while public, media and political pressure continued to grow.

Brittany Ferries' decision shows that ferry companies can choose to step away from the live animal transport trade.

Irish Ferries: the campaign continues

With Brittany Ferries now out of the live animal transport trade, Irish Ferries remains involved in transporting unweaned calves from Ireland to France.

These are not ordinary cargo. They are young, vulnerable animals, often only weeks old and still dependent on milk.

During these long journeys, calves can spend many hours without being fed. The Ireland–France journey forms part of a much longer journey across Europe, with calves ultimately transported onwards to other countries for rearing and fattening.

FOUR PAWS is calling on Irish Ferries to follow Brittany Ferries' example and end its involvement in transporting live animals.

Ferry companies do not need to be part of the live animal transport trade. Irish Ferries can choose a different future!

Brittany Ferries has shown that change is possible. We are calling on Irish Ferries to make the same commitment and stop transporting unweaned calves.

The Reality for Unweaned Calves

Long Journeys, Young Animals

Unweaned calves are extremely young animals that remain dependent on milk or milk replacer for their nutritional needs.

However, calves travelling on trucks during ferry crossings cannot be fed milk replacer while at sea. As a result, they can spend many hours without adequate nutrition during journeys that often last well over a day.

A growing body of scientific research has documented the welfare consequences of these journeys. Studies have identified dehydration, fatigue, low energy reserves, hypoglycaemia and signs of respiratory disease among transported calves. Researchers have also reported widespread lung damage and frequent antibiotic treatment requirements in transported animals.

The evidence is clear: these journeys place young calves at significant risk of suffering.

Concerns Over Compliance with EU Animal Transport Rules

The transport of unweaned calves on these routes raises serious concerns regarding compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, which requires calves to be fed at prescribed intervals during transport.

In practice, journeys from Ireland to mainland Europe commonly take between 24 and 28 hours when road and sea transport are combined. The point at which calves should receive feeding frequently occurs during the ferry crossing itself, when feeding is not possible on roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels.

A European Commission audit found that calves transported on long ferry crossings were not being fed at the legally required intervals and identified significant animal welfare concerns associated with these journeys.

These findings raise serious questions about the compatibility of this trade with EU animal welfare requirements and highlight Brittany Ferries' role in enabling these transports and the violation of the law.

Public Backlash

Since Brittany Ferries resumed transporting live animals in 2025, the company has faced significant criticism from animal welfare organisations, veterinarians, scientists, public figures and members of the public. In just a few months, more than 200,000 people contacted Brittany Ferries' leadership urging the company to stop transporting unweaned calves. Polling conducted in key Brittany Ferries markets also shows strong opposition to the practice.

United Kingdom: Only around one in ten people support the long-distance transport of unweaned calves.
France: 81% of respondents oppose the transport of unweaned calves by sea.
Whilst 62% said a ferry company's involvement in this trade would affect their decision to travel with that company.
Ireland: 84% of respondents believe unweaned calves should not be transported long distances.

What We and Other NGOs Are Doing

FOUR PAWS is working with organisations and campaigners in Ireland, France, the UK and other European countries to build pressure on Irish Ferries and end the transport of unweaned calves.

French Company Brittany Ferries Announces Its End of Live Animal Transports

Decision follows 18 months of intensive advocacy work by animal welfare organisations