A threat to calf exports next spring is emerging with news that the main ferry boat involved will be taken off the Ireland to France route for four weeks for refurbishment.

Stena is notifying exporters that the Horizon will be out of action from mid-February to mid-March 2018.

That is a peak time for calf exports.

The Horizon sails from Rosslare to Cherbourg three times a week.

In spring, it typically carries 15 approved livestock lorries. At 300 calves per truck, this means it carries up to 13,500 calves per month.

Stena has identified a replacement boat which it is now trying to charter for the period. However, this boat is smaller and – if approved by the Department of Agriculture to carry livestock trucks – would have capacity for only five or six.

Further, if capacity is limited on the route the company is likely to give priority to its biggest customers who are exporting dry freight.

Irish Ferries carries up to 10 livestock trucks on its Saturday sailings to France.

Transit through the UK is seen as difficult because of protests by groups opposed to animal transport.

A number of exporters have this week enquired about flying calves to the continent but report that it would be very costly.

In 2017, some 100,000 dairy calves were shipped live from Ireland. The main destinations for these calves were The Netherlands, Spain and Belgium.

The Netherlands took the majoirty of the calves, with some 40,000 shipped there.

Threat to calf exports in 2018

Main ferry boat will be called ashore for refurbishment during time of peak calf exports.