Representatives from the Beef Plan Movement attended a meeting in Athlone on Saturday, 15 August, hosted by MEP Ciarán Mullooly and TD Michael Fitzmaurice. Organised by Independent Ireland, the gathering aimed to coordinate a response to the crisis caused by Brittany Ferries’ decision to cease livestock transport. The Beef Plan Movement has repeatedly highlighted the vital nature of this service and remains strongly critical of the ferry operator’s stance.
Although this decision currently affects dairy calf transport, it could well represent the tip of the iceberg. The move was a knee-jerk reaction to a small group of around 25 animal welfare protesters at Portsmouth port in the UK. Comparing this to how fuel protesters were handled in Ireland—where riot police intervened to disperse a peaceful demonstration of thousands of farmers and hauliers—it is incredulous that such a small group was permitted to cause such severe disruption. As an island nation, maintaining livestock shipping routes to mainland Europe is essential to ensure market competition against the “big three” processors.
Despite the absence of some farming bodies, the strong turnout was encouraging. Beef Plan Movement director Emmanuel O’Dea noted that many beef farmers stopped rearing dairy calves this year due to financial unfeasibility. He stated that according to the Department of Agriculture, 8,451 farmers who bought calves in 2025 did not buy calves in 2026. If domestic beef farmers cannot absorb these numbers, a viable export pathway to Europe is critical.
Beef Plan Movement Chairman Eamon Corley expressed disappointment at the Department of Agriculture’s absence and reiterated the crucial need for market competition. Eamon Corley also highlighted that farmers are already struggling to secure sustainable prices and factories are managing the kill with the aid of foreign beef imports and cattle from factory feedlots.. Furthermore, he pointed out that the reliance on extreme dairy dams and low-quality beef sires is actively depressing beef prices for all producers.
A working group comprising the attending organisations is now being established to secure alternative shipping capacity before the peak calf output next spring. The Beef Plan Movement will play an active role in this group.