P&O Ferries disruption adds to sheep transport uncertainty

Concern has been expressed about the serious disruption that the crisis at P&O Ferries will have on the movement of sheep and goods between Britain and Northern Ireland.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has also warned that the uncertainties are likely to set back efforts to get a live animal border control post (BCP) in place just outside of Calais in France to allow the resumption of live breeding sheep exports to Europe.

P&O announced on Thursday (17 March) that it had made 800 people redundant and that there would be significant disruption to its services while it made changes “to become a more competitive and efficient operator, providing a better service”.

See also: How UK farmers can tap into export market for sheep genetics

This has led to interruption on several routes, including the Larne (Northern Ireland) to Cairnryan (Scotland) freight service – used for the transport of livestock – which currently has had all sailings suspended.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said P&O had long been the mainstay of shipping live breeding sheep between Britain and Europe, and between Britain and Northern Ireland.

“Brexit brought new controls for moving live animals into Europe, and the fact there is no BCP with live animal facilities on the other side of the Channel means British breeders have not been able to sustain what was a long-standing and important trade for valuable UK livestock genetics.

“Negotiations are ongoing about establishing such a facility, but the news from P&O is likely to create further uncertainty and delays.”

NI cast adrift

Mr Stocker said while the Northern Ireland protocols had allowed the continued movement of animals between Britain and Northern Ireland, there had been serious extra controls introduced, resulting in many sheep farmers in Northern Ireland feeling “cast adrift”.

“It is not clear from the P&O statement what might happen immediately, but this disruption will do nothing to allow farmers in Northern Ireland to integrate with the wider UK industry.

“We await further details and hope that solutions can be found to prevent any immediate or short-term disruption, and to provide confidence for plans for a live animal BCP to progress in time for this year’s breeding sales this summer.”