Urgent talks are under way between exporters, the Department of Agriculture and the main ferry companies to ensure calf exports have an alternative route to mainland Europe from the middle of February.

The main calf export boat involved, Stena’s Horizon, will be taken off service for refurbishment. Buoyant calf exports to Holland and Spain were the main driver of higher cattle exports in 2017 and strong demand is expected again early in 2018 but only if only Irish calves can get there.

Peak

At peak last spring up to 70 lorry loads of calves sailed from Ireland to France, with the Horizon carrying up to 66 of these. It sails three times per week and is approved for up to 22 calf lorries per trip.

The only alternative currently available is Irish Ferries’ Saturday sailing from Dublin to France, which can take 10 lorries of calves. For the remainder of the week this boat travels from Dublin to Holyhead and carries only breeding animals on those sailings. Transport of other livestock through the UK is seen as problematic due to animal welfare pressure groups.

It is understood Stena has agreed terms to hire an alternative boat for the period which would be able to carry up to 10 loads per sailing. However it will be early January before this deal is concluded and then the boat must be approved by the Department of Agriculture to carry livestock.

Transport of calves through the UK for the four weeks when the Horizon will be off service is seen by exporters as a last resort. It is not clear if any existing ferry service crossing from the south of England to mainland Europe would carry calf lorries.

Irish Ferries has another boat on the Wexford to France route but has not sought approval to carry livestock lorries on it.

Exporters have investigated flying calves to Holland. However, this would cost about €70 per head, compared with ferry costs of €20 to €30.

Veal producers

Meanwhile, veal producers in Holland and other EU countries have had a good 2017, with good demand on home markets and a new export outlet in the US. Prices in recent weeks have been strong at €5.20/kg to €5.25/kg. Dutch buyers are concerned about supply of Irish calves.

“My customers in Holland are worried,” Kerry-based exporter Mark Hallissey said. “But the Department is working hard on the issue so I’m hopeful there will be a resolution.”