The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is to engage with other ferry operators in relation to the transport livestock over the coming weeks.

It follows confirmation from Stena Line yesterday (Monday, June 30) that it will end its Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry service from the end of September this year.

The route has been used by Irish exports to transport significant numbers of livestock, including calves, to key markets in mainland Europe.

Minster for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon confirmed that Stena Line informed his department yesterday (Monday, June 30) of its plan to withdraw the route from September 30.

The minister said that the ferry company said it was not possible to share this information with DAFM any earlier, "as they had to prioritise employee communication".

"Stena also assured my department that over the coming months they will continue to deliver the same high-quality service on the Rosslare- Cherbourg service, and will ensure their customers have the support they need to prepare for this change," he said.

The Stena Vision which currently operates on the Rosslare to Cherbourg route three days a week - Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday - is approved by DAFM to carry up to 15 livestock vehicles.

The minister noted that Brittany Ferries also operate a vessel - the MV Cotentin - on the Rosslare to Cherbourg route three days a week; Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

This vessel is approved by DAFM to carry a maximum of nine livestock vehicles.

Minister Heydon said that the transport of live animals is "a private commercial activity which is regulated by my department in accordance with EU and national laws".

"While this trade is a private commercial activity my department is ready to assess and approve vessels that might be made available for transport of livestock on that route.

"I am acutely aware that this decision has the potential to cause difficulties for industry as a whole including the trade of live animals.

"Based on figures published by my department up to June 22, 2025 some 279,000 bovines were intra-community traded.

"I would encourage all stakeholders to work on a collaborative approach with a view to addressing this issue," the minister added.

Meanwhile, the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has said that "the intra Community live export trade is an important outlet for Ireland and it is something that we have to safeguard".

"The Stena announcement will have an impact on capacity and the focus of the department must be on securing the maximum number of sailings for next spring," the association added.