Mullooly takes Irish livestock transport dispute directly to Brittany Ferries

Ciaran Mullooly MEP has taken the fight to restore Irish livestock ferry services directly to Brittany Ferries, travelling to Roscoff  in northern France to meet the company’s Chairperson and Chief Executive today, Monday. 

Mullooly is urging the company to reconsider its decision to withdraw from transporting Irish livestock to mainland Europe, arguing that the move threatens a vital trade route for farmers and exporters.

The meeting follows a public gathering organised by Mullooly and Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice in Athlone on August 15th, attended by approximately 200 farmers and live cattle exporters. Concerns raised there led to further discussions with Irish Ferries in Dublin Port before Mullooly brought the campaign directly to Brittany Ferries’ headquarters.

Speaking ahead of the talks, Mullooly said the objective is clear: “We’re unhappy with the circumstances surrounding the closure of this business and asking them to reconsider it.” 

He said farmers and exporters had strongly expressed the need for a return to a competitive two-vessel system capable of transporting calves and weanlings to France on a frequent basis.

Mullooly emphasised the importance of the service to Irish agriculture, noting that more than 200,000 Irish calves are exported to mainland Europe in a typical year, alongside other categories of livestock. He warned that, as an island nation, Ireland depends on reliable maritime links to access European markets, making ferry capacity a strategic necessity rather than simply a commercial issue.

Arguing that livestock transport remains commercially viable and capable of future growth, Mullooly will press the company to restore the service. He said: “Brittany Ferries was established by farmers for farmers who understood that access to markets depends on access to ships.” 

He is expected to provide a further update after the talks conclude.