Following Brittany Ferries’ refusal to stop transporting unweaned calves ahead of the peak export season, we’re stepping up the pressure.

A breach of EU law

For over a year, the ferry company has been carrying tens of thousands of unweaned calves on its ships. By the time the ships reach France the calves have gone for over 18 hours without food. This is in breach of EU animal welfare law.

In a series of face-to-face meetings – along with our partners FOUR PAWS and Welfarm - Brittany Ferries acknowledged that these journeys were in breach of EU law but concluded they would continue the cruel practice anyway.

Peak season

This month marks the start of peak calf export season. Young, vulnerable animals will be carried by Brittany Ferries and its competitor Irish Ferries in increasing numbers, from Ireland to France, and onward by road to countries including the Netherlands, Spain and Poland - where their gruelling journeys can last up to 50 hours.

The company’s failure to act at this crucial time in the export calendar means thousands more unweaned calves will suffer, unnecessarily.

A storm on the horizon

In response, we are joining forces with supporters and NGOs across Europe to call the company out. A coordinated ‘storm’ on social media will target Brittany Ferries for several weeks, ensuring its customers across the continent are aware of the cruelty from which it is profitting.

In a survey released last month, 83% of EU citizens expressed concern about the transport of very young and unweaned animals, with only 22% convinced that current protections were adequate. With current EU regulation on the protection of animals during transport more than 20 years old, and sometimes left unenforced, a revision is underway. However, progress remains slow.

Calves aren’t cargo

Our deputy director of global campaigns, Charlotte Reid, said:

Brittany Ferries is in deep water. By carrying unweaned calves that go unfed for over 18 hours, it is in breach of EU animal welfare law – and the company knows it.

Cruelty is bad for business – their customers don’t want to travel on ferries where vulnerable young calves are suffering below deck. EU citizens, animal welfare experts and NGOs across the continent agree: calves aren’t cargo. That’s why our campaign will continue until live exports stop once and for all.

Brittany Ferries: campaign to stop calf trade escalates