Stena Line ends calf exports from Ireland to France
A major step forward for vulnerable calves after sustained pressure from FOUR PAWS UK and animal welfare partners across Europe
After sustained pressure from FOUR PAWS UK and other animal welfare organisations, Stena Line has announced it will stop operating the Rosslare–Cherbourg route used to transport unweaned calves from Ireland to France.
For years, thousands of very young, milk‑dependent calves have faced long, stressful journeys by road and sea for fattening abroad, exposing them to exhaustion, hunger and fear. Ending this route is a major win for calf welfare.
Stena Line’s decision follows years of coalition campaigning by FOUR PAWS UK, CIWF, Ethical Farming Ireland, The Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance and others. In 2024, FOUR PAWS UK met directly with senior Stena Line representatives to raise serious welfare concerns, alongside wider public pressure through petitions, open letters and engagement with ferry companies.
In July 2025, Stena Line confirmed it would withdraw from the route - a move warmly welcomed across the animal welfare community. In 2025 alone, the route transported more than 260,000 cattle, including over 200,000 unweaned calves.
HOW WE HELPED MAKE IT HAPPEN
Exposing the cruelty of long-distance transport
Across Europe, millions of animals continue to be transported long distances by road and sea. FOUR PAWS has campaigned for stronger protections, better enforcement and an end to the most cruel and unnecessary journeys.
Government promises action on live exports
The UK Government committed to banning the live export of farmed animals for slaughter and fattening in its Action Plan for Animal Welfare. FOUR PAWS UK continued to press for the commitment to become law.
Pressure builds after delays
When the Kept Animals Bill stalled and was later dropped, FOUR PAWS UK and other organisations kept up pressure for the promised live export ban to be delivered through new legislation. The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill was later introduced to Parliament.
A landmark law for animals in Great Britain
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024 became law, ending live exports from Great Britain for slaughter and fattening. This was a major victory — but it did not end the transport of calves from Ireland to mainland Europe.
FOUR PAWS UK meets Stena Line
FOUR PAWS UK met Stena Line alongside Ethical Farming Ireland and The Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance to raise serious concerns about the transport of unweaned calves from Ireland to France. The meeting put the welfare of calves directly in front of senior company representatives and formed part of wider pressure from animal welfare organisations across Europe.
Pressure returns to ferry companies
As concern grew about ferry companies enabling the trade, FOUR PAWS UK called out Brittany Ferries for reopening its decks to live animal transport after 30 years of refusing to take part in the trade. The campaign highlighted the suffering of unweaned calves transported between Ireland and France and urged supporters to take action.
Stena Line withdraws from the route
Stena Line announced that it would withdraw from the Rosslare to Cherbourg route. FOUR PAWS UK welcomed the news as a major step forward for calves and a clear sign that sustained pressure works.
The campaign continues
Stena Line’s decision is a major breakthrough, but it is not the end of the issue. Brittany Ferries and Irish Ferries continue to be key targets for campaign pressure during the calf export season. FOUR PAWS UK continues to call on ferry companies to stop transporting unweaned calves. The 2026 FOUR PAWS blog Calves Aren’t Cargo makes this continuing ask very clear.
