Imports and exports discussed as Helen visits Olympic stud farm

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has met with the team at a stud farm near Whitchurch to discuss the major impact of changing trading arrangements on the horse racing, breeding and stud farming industry.

Brazillian Olympian Carlos Parro’s horse Safira was born and bred in North Shropshire and is based at stables just over the county border near Malpas, all operated by Tilstock resident and business owner John Chambers.

The agricultural sector employs 18% of people in North Shropshire, with stud farming and horse racing an important part of the make-up.

Several world-leading premises are based in the area, including Stallion AI just a few miles away at Ash, whose owner Tullis Matson recently met with a Minister in DEFRA at the request of Helen Morgan.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, said, “Even though Shropshire is a rural and inland county, international trading links are vitally important. We do a huge amount of business with the world and many local firms, particularly in the agriculture sector, are reliant on good trade deals and arrangements that make it possible to import and export on favourable terms.

“Sadly, new rules brought in have added more and more delays and red tape. Our stud farmers are amongst the most impacted by this.

“It was good to meat John, Carlos, and the team and to learn more about the industry. It’s a testament to their hard work that a horse representing Brazil at the next Olympics is from our neck of the wood and shows that this is a really world-leading sector that deserves a fair deal from Government.”