Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice has said that he has requested a meeting with Brittany Ferries over its decision to cease carrying livestock from next month.

The loss of ferry capacity for Irish livestock exports "cannot be tolerated", the TD has said.

He has called for "urgent action" following the confirmation that Brittany Ferries will no longer transport livestock from September.

The Roscommon-Galway TD warned that Ireland's live export trade "cannot afford further barriers".

According to Fitzmaurice, this development is "the latest in a series of challenges" facing Irish livestock exporters; adding that Ireland, as an island nation, "must have reliable and fair access to markets across the EU".

"The news that Brittany Ferries is about to withdraw their services for live cattle comes as another knife in the back for Irish exports," he said.

According to the Independent Ireland agriculture spokesperson, there have been "a number of problems arising" in recent months, with a "worrying focus" on holding Irish exports at bay, particularly when it comes to calves and weanlings leaving the country.

"This cannot be tolerated. Ireland is an island and we need to ensure that our farmers and exporters have fair and reliable access to markets throughout the EU," he said.

He said he has requested the meeting with the ferry operator to "understand the reasons for their decision and to see if there is a possibility of the decision being reversed".

The TD said the issue is not only about the immediate movement of cattle, but also ensuring sufficient capacity for the coming spring.

"We need to make sure that the calves and weanlings are able to leave the country. If we lose ferry capacity, we risk creating a serious bottleneck for Irish farmers and exporters," he said.

Lairages

Fitzmaurice has also raised concerns about restrictions being placed on the use of certain lairages in other countries.

He called on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to work directly with exporters to establish a clear pathway for the movement of livestock.

"The department needs to sit down with exporters immediately and put a clear pathway in place. We need a positive and proactive approach to ensuring that live exports continue to operate efficiently," he said.

He also claimed that there are some lairages within Ireland that "are finding it increasingly difficult to operate because of the approach being taken by some department staff".

"That is not good enough. We need a system that facilitates the safe and efficient movement of livestock while fully respecting the necessary animal welfare requirements," Fitzmaurice said.

He also claimed that there are "people outside the farming sector" who "seem to know more about the movement of boats and the movement of cattle than the people involved directly".

He went on to say: "My fear is that there are people in Europe, and indeed some here in Ireland, who would rather see this trade get into difficulty. That is extremely disappointing and regrettable."

"Our farmers deserve better. The government needs to act now, engage with the ferry companies and exporters, and ensure that Ireland has the capacity and access required to keep our livestock export trade moving," Fitzmaurice said.