Brittany Ferries accused of 'discriminating' against livestock sector
The Beef Plan Movement (BPM) has accused Brittany Ferries of discriminating against Ireland’s livestock sector, claiming the ferry operator’s policies are putting Irish farmers at a disadvantage.
Brittany Ferries has confirmed its intention to end its livestock transport services from Ireland to mainland Europe from next month.
BPM vice chair, John Moloney, said: “Brittany Ferries remains happy to carry horses and domestic pets.
"So why not Irish cattle?
“This is a trading practice that adds real competition for the livestock produced in this country and this sales outlet must be maintained into the future.”
Regulations
According to BPM, livestock transport is strictly regulated - it has highlighted that vehicles must meet rigorous standards for ventilation, temperature control, stocking density, and feed and water provision.
Moloney added that "all trucks are legally required to carry tamperproof electronic trackers that log movement, location, and stop durations".
The Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly and Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice have said they were told by the chief executive of Brittany Ferries, Christophe Mathieu, that protests involving up to 25 people at Portsmouth Port had been a principal factor in the company’s decision to withdraw from the Irish livestock export trade
But the BPM has accused Brittany Ferries of accepting "misleading claims to appease a vocal minority at the expense of Ireland's primary indigenous sector.”
The group is also alarmed that the decision by the ferry operation could mark "a dangerous precedent".
Cattle exports
In 2025, nearly 310,000 cattle were exported from Ireland, according to Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine figures.
BPM chair, Eamon Corley, said: “Animal rights groups are openly aiming to end live shipping entirely, an outcome that would leave Irish farmers completely at the mercy of domestic processors."
He believes live exports are a "vital competitive outlet".
"When exporters bid at marts, prices rise across the board, particularly for continental stock.
"Our members attempting to book cattle for slaughter report processor delays of up to three weeks," Corley said.
According to the BPM chair, maintaining active live shipping routes "is essential for fair competition".
