Campaigners across France, the UK and Ireland ramped up the pressure on Brittany Ferries through a series of protests demanding an immediate end to the live export of unweaned calves, this weekend.

The coordinated days of action marked six months since the ferry company made the shocking decision to resume exporting live animals on its ships – despite widespread condemnation from customers, NGOs and animal welfare experts alike.

Exporting live animals for fattening and slaughter was rightly banned in Great Britain last year on the grounds of cruelty. Despite this, since Brittany Ferries’ U-turn in March, over 170,000 unweaned calves have faced the 18-hour sea journey from Ireland to France, enduring hunger, crowding, and limited food and water. What’s more, carrying unweaned calves for extended periods without food is in breach of EU regulations.

Along with other companies Irish Ferries and Stena Line, Brittany Ferries has turned a blind eye to this completely unnecessary suffering. That’s why we took to ports where the company operates and its company headquarters this weekend, united in calling for change. Here’s how the action unfolded:

France

At Brittany Ferries’ headquarters in Roscoff, we were joined by fellow animal welfare NGOs, Welfarm, L24 and Quatre Pattes.

Along with the other NGOs, we met with senior representatives at the company and presented clear evidence showing why they must halt this cruel and unnecessary trade now. While Brittany Ferries has not yet committed to ending the transport of unweaned calves from Ireland, the company has agreed to another meeting in November, where we will continue to push for change.

Protests in 3 countries: Stop export cruelty now