Brittany Ferries confirms plans to ship Irish livestock
Brittany Ferries has confirmed to Agriland that it is planning to transport livestock from Rosslare Port, Co. Wexford, to Cherbourg Port in France from March of this year.
There are two ferry companies currently facilitating the transport of livestock from Ireland to Cherbourg, France - Irish Ferries and Stena Line. This announcement from Brittany Ferries will bring that number to three.
The ferry is called the Cotentin and the announcement comes ahead of peak spring-calving season on Irish farms and a subsequent increase in the numbers of Irish calves being sold to customers located in countries in mainland Europe.
The statement from Brittany Ferries read: "Brittany Ferries can confirm that the company is planning to transport livestock on board the Cotentin ferry between Rosslare and Cherbourg from March 2025.
"This decision follows 18 months of close engagement with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and relevant authorities to ensure that the highest animal welfare standards are prioritised at every stage of the journey.
"Animal welfare is of paramount importance to Brittany Ferries, the Cotentin has been specifically selected for this service, as it is oriented towards freight transport and equipped to provide the best possible care for animals during transit.
"It is important to note that Brittany Ferries will not transport animals destined for slaughter. All livestock carried on board will be transported in accordance with strict regulatory guidelines, ensuring their health and wellbeing are protected.
"We remain committed to working closely with relevant authorities and our partners to uphold the highest animal welfare standards, reflecting our deep-rooted agricultural heritage and dedication to responsible transport practices," the statement said.
Industry sources have told Agriland that the move will be a positive development for Irish calf markets, allowing additional transport for Irish calves to markets in mainland Europe.
Over 25,500 head of cattle had been exported in the first seven weeks of 2025, according to figures from DAFM.
The overall cattle export numbers in the first seven weeks of this year are up 31% on the same time last year.
Despite this, calf export numbers to date this year are down 9%, with just over 5,700 calves sold to other countries to date this year.
The largest increase has been seen in weanling exports, with almost 8,500 weanlings sold to customers outside Ireland to date this year, up 79% on the 4,700 head sold abroad in the same time period of last year.
