Calf exports remain constrained by lairage and shipping issues this week as storm Gareth forced ferry companies to refuse livestock trucks on Tuesday’s sailings.

On the same day, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed announced that French authorities had approved additional space for 400 calves at a lairage in Cherbourg.

Describing the move as “most welcome”, Minister Creed said: “Based on current ferry sailing schedules, this provides increased capacity of some 1,200 animals per week.”

Robert Drique, operator of the Qualivia lairage, confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal on Tuesday that he had applied for the extra capacity, but said he had not yet received approval at that point. He added that his lairage worked at full capacity of 2,500 calves during the four weeks of March last year.

Extra calves

“We know there are 50,000 extra calves this year. We are short five to 10 lorries each week,” he said – which represents 1,500 to 3,000 calves.

“We’re being harassed. All live exporters I work with call me and say: ‘Robert, we need more’ – but I can’t.”

Following Tuesday’s cancellations, Drique was overwhelmed with bookings for the next arrival on Friday.

Live exporter David Scallan of the Wicklow Calf Company said he had to re-book 900 calves on three lorries due to sail on Tuesday. Other live exporters said they were in the same situation.

According to Drique, ferry sailings on alternate days would be the best way to optimise capacity, but Irish Ferries and Stena Line both sail between Ireland and France on the same days.

“Will ferry companies adjust their schedules for 2020? We will only know then,” he said.

Last week’s live exports were recorded at 10,742 calves, an increase of 2,421 head on the previous week when a cancelled Saturday sailing limited numbers.

For the year to date, calf exports are running 7,973 head higher than 2018.

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