A truck transporting more than 300 calves overturned on a highway in northern France, killing over 100 animals.
The accident happened on Thursday morning on the A29 motorway near Framerville-Rainecourt, in the Somme region. The truck fell into a ditch.
A total of 306 calves were on board the vehicle. The truck had two levels and an attached trailer. After the crash, many animals were trapped inside. According to early reports, 107 calves died in the accident.
Emergency services, including firefighters and veterinarians, were sent to the scene. Some of the surviving animals were later moved to a nearby field for safety.
Long journey across Europe
The calves were being transported from Ireland to the Netherlands, a journey that usually involves several stages.
The route is long and difficult. The calves are loaded onto trucks in Ireland and driven to the port of Rosslare. From there, a ferry takes them across the sea to Cherbourg in northern France, which is an 18-hour journey.
After a rest stop in France, the trucks continue for another 900 km to veal farms in the Netherlands.
The full trip takes about three days. The calves are very young and still need milk. Animal welfare groups say the journey is too long and too hard for such young animals.
The incident highlights the risks linked to long-distance transport of live animals across Europe.
VanDrie group
The calves involved in the transport are part of Europe’s veal industry, which is dominated by companies such as VanDrie Group.
Based in the Netherlands, the VanDrie Group is the largest veal producer in the world and sources calves from several European countries, including Ireland. These animals are transported to the Netherlands to be raised for veal production.
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