In a major step forward for animal welfare, Brittany Ferries has confirmed it will end the transport of all live farmed animals, including unweaned calves, from Ireland to France on its ships from September 2026.

The decision directly follows months of concerted pressure from us and partner NGOs including Ethical Farming Ireland, Welfarm, FOUR PAWS, L124, Eyes on Animals, Eurogroup for Animals, Southampton Animal Action, and Dorset Animal Action.

Global Outrage

Brittany Ferries restarted transporting live animals in March 2025 after a 30-year pause. This decision sparked international controversy and more than 100,000 emails were sent from European citizens to the company in response, along with an open letter from 120 high-profile signatories. Demonstrations also targeted the company in Ireland, France, and the UK.

This led to four meetings with Brittany Ferries and NGOs – in which we called for an immediate end to the practice of transporting unweaned calves and all other animals.

Animal Cruelty

By the time the ships reach France on these journeys, unweaned calves have gone for over 18 hours without food. This is in breach of EU animal welfare law. Many calves are transported onwards to other countries including the Netherlands, Spain, and Poland.

The export of live animals for fattening and slaughter was banned in Great Britain in 2024, on the grounds of cruelty.

It’s time to Ban Live Exports

Brittany Ferries’ withdrawal from this trade makes Irish Ferries an outlier, as the only carrier to continue the cruel practice, since Stena Line withdrew from the Ireland to France route last year. Pressure is now mounting on Irish Ferries to follow suit.

Charlotte Reid Deputy Director of Global Campaigns, said:

This is a landmark victory for animals. After months of campaigning by NGOs, with the support of hundreds of thousands of supporters across Europe, Brittany Ferries has finally listened.

Animals are not cargo and they should not be forced to suffer on these gruelling, stressful journeys.

We won't stop campaigning until the cruel and unnecessary practice of live exports has been completely consigned to the history books.

Read more about our campaign here.

Take action

Now Brittany Ferries is ending live exports – we are calling on Irish Ferries to follow suit.

Brittany Ferries to stop live animal transport