This is a subscriber-only article
The total capacity for calves in Cherbourg is set to increase to 16,800 per week from next week.
Pignet’s, the smaller of two lairage facilities, has been officially approved to receive an extra 1,200 calves per sailing, IFA dairy chair Tom Phelan has confirmed.
“Weather permitting, three sailings a week take place with two ships between Dublin/Rosslare and Cherbourg – from next week, they will have an effective capacity of 16,800 calves per week when all sailings can depart,” Phelan said.
“This is a positive development which will effectively cater for peak, and minimise capacity pressure when storms prevent some sailings.”
Numbers
Dairy bull calf numbers are up again and look set to peak over this and next week.
Over the last 13 months, the IFA has been in ongoing contact with the French lairage operators and veterinary authorities in Ireland and France. A total of 1,600 extra spaces have been secured, comprising Pignet’s 1,200-space expansion and a smaller 400-space expansion at Qualivia last year.
SHARING OPTIONS: