Say Cheese! Emma McClarkin MEP visits local Stilton producers

Local Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin visited local stilton producers, Cropwell Bishop Creamery, on Friday.

The East Midlands MEP – who is a self-confessed cheese lover – was shown around the company’s facilities, before discussing European Union issues with them, including trade, export and the issue of European protected food names.

Cropwell Bishop Creamery is a successful family-owned and run business, with the current directors being cousins Robin and Ben Skailes. The Skailes family has been involved in the cheese-making industry for over 160 years, and the company has recently started supplying M&S with their new soft blue cheese Beauvale, which was recently awarded 3 stars in the Great Taste Awards.

Miss McClarkin said:

“As a cheese-lover, we have some of the best cheeses in the world right here in the East Midlands, so to be shown around Cropwell Bishop Creamery’s facilities and taste some of the fabulous Cropwell Bishop cheese was a great experience.

“It was also good to talk to Robin and Ben about their plans for the company and about how European Union legislation affects their business.”

Robin Skailes said:

“What a pleasure to show Miss McClarkin around our family run dairy and talk to her about the industry and what makes food products from the East Midlands so special. She is clearly very passionate about artisanal food and how we make our cheese.”