MONTGOMERYSHIRE sheep are making their mark abroad having been exported to Switzerland for the first time.

Two dozen Kerry Hill sheep are now nestled in the Swiss Alps after the breed caught the eye of a Swiss farmer who contacted farmer Andrew Griffiths, of Pentre Farm in Leighton, seeking to import the sheep to her country where they would be unique.

The Pentrehen flock left to go to Switzerland from Leighton, a journey that took place in two stages. The sheep went from Dover in to France before having a stopover then completing the journey to Switzerland the following day.

Andrew said: “Earlier this summer I was approached by a woman in Switzerland who wanted to import Kerry Hill sheep as there were none in that country, and only a handful of different breeds in other countries such as Belgium and Holland.

“She’d seen the sheep elsewhere in the UK and thought they were quite eye-catching, they are a striking breed and well-suited to where her farm is.

“I thought it was a good project to get into during lockdown. You get Texel sheep exported to breeders in Ireland, but this was a first.

“There were 24 sheep in total, 23 ewes and ewe lambs, and one yearling ram, and I had to source sheep from two other Kerry Hill farmers, both located in Four Crosses near Welshpool.”

Andrew added that a lot of work and logistical planning had to be carried out before the sheep where ready for their big move.

He also gave thanks to farm vet James Coope, from Cain Vets in Llansantfraidd, who helped with the move.

Andrew said: “Obviously different European countries vary the requirements that have to be met for sheep to enter their country, they had to be blood-tested, checked over by a vet, and I was constantly messaging the woman in Switzerland through Facebook.

“Eventually we got all the sheep to my farm towards the end of summer and got all the paperwork sorted.

“It was quite a job to work out how to get them there, speaking to hauliers, the port authorities, and the clock was ticking before the start of Brexit.

“On December 9, a haulier based in Holland who has a business in transporting high-value animals around Europe collected them and after a stop-off in Holland they arrived in Switzerland on December 12.

“I was very relieved when I got the message to say they had arrived and the pictures of them enjoying the Swiss snow.”

After the experience Andrew says he is not sure whether he would export again, that it would depend on Brexit.

He said: “It depends on the rules and regulations going forward, but I’d never say never.

“It’s a nice change to see sheep exported rather than imported here, and gets a bit of status, helping to set up the first Kerry flock over in Switzerland – it’s really nice to know that I played a part in that.”