Campaigners continue to protest against live exports at Brittany Ferries with banner drop

On March 13, a group of campaigners dropped a banner inside the International Ferry Port terminal in Portsmouth to protest against Brittany Ferries which resumed exporting live animals last year.

The banner, which said ‘This Business Profits From Animal Abuse’, was dropped on the mezzanine balcony above the Brittany Ferries ticket office inside the terminal, while protesters spoke to passengers, held placards, and distributed leaflets.

Speaking at the protest, Portsmouth resident and concerned citizen Sam said: “We are here to highlight to passengers, and staff that Brittany Ferries is profiteering from animal suffering. They stopped exporting live animals for slaughter in 1994 after coming under intense public criticism so we’re here to tell Brittany Ferries that the public hasn’t changed its mind.

“With such a large UK customer base, many passengers would be deeply concerned to know animals are suffering below deck while they sleep in their cabins.

“In a meeting with us, the head of external communications said the decision was driven by ‘financial pressures’. But after announcing in 2025 a third consecutive year of financial growth, it’s hard to see this as anything other than a choice driven by profit. We will continue to peacefully disrupt operations until Brittany Ferries ban live exports.”

The group has been campaigning at Brittany Ferries’ UK head office since it restarted live animal export at the beginning of 2025. Led by Compassion in World Farming, the campaign now involves a number of NGOs and high-profile individuals including Joanna Lumley, Chris Packham and Hugh-Fearnley Whittingstall.

Brittany Ferries has been contacted for a comment.