Irish Ferries given legal notice over transport of calves
Animal welfare groups have issued Irish Ferries with a formal legal notice in relation to what they claim are breaches of animal welfare legislation during the transport of unweaned calves between Ireland and France.
Irish Ferries has received a formal legal notice from animal welfare groups, including Compassion in World Farming France, FOUR PAWS France, and WELFARM, over alleged breaches of EU animal welfare regulations during the transport of unweaned calves between Ireland and France. The notice, sent by French legal firm de CAMBIAIRE & MEZIANI Associés, demands that Irish Ferries halt the transport of unweaned calves from Ireland to the port of Cherbourg within 15 days or face potential legal action.
The groups claim that current transport practices do not meet EU regulations regarding feeding requirements, which can lead to weak calves, dehydration, hypoglycaemia, and even death during the journey. Irish Ferries is the sole company operating live-animal transports between Ireland and France. Animal welfare groups have called on the European Commission to enforce animal welfare legislation and initiate infringement proceedings against Ireland for allowing unweaned calves to be transported to France.
Director of Ethical Farming Ireland, Caroline Rowley, emphasized that Irish authorities continue to ignore legislation, allowing vulnerable animals to suffer during the journey. CIWF France Head Yvan Savy stated that over 160,000 unweaned calves arrive in France each year after grueling sea journeys, raising concerns about compliance with EU animal welfare transport rules.
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