The tables were turned when local VIPs attended a farmhouse breakfast at S4C “Fferm Ffactor” judge and FUW Ceredigion county chairman Aled Rees’s farm at Trefere Fawr, Penparc, near Cardigan, today.
Mr Rees hosted the breakfast with a dual purpose - to highlight the importance of eating breakfast and to capitalise on an opportunity to discuss the future of Welsh farming with 40 local farmers, politicians, food business owners and representatives from agricultural bodies
Among those sampling the Rees family’s hospitality were Elin Jones AM, Ceredigion county councillor for Penparc Haydn Lewis, Rachel’s Dairy factory manager Richard Cooper and representatives from Hybu Cig Cymru and J J Morris auctioneers.
Mr and Mrs Tony Burgess of Birchgrove Farm, Trawscoed, near Aberystwyth, kindly donated eggs; bread was donated by Gwalia Bakery, Llanybydder; sausages by Ben Evans Butcher, Llanon; yogurt by Rachel’s Dairy, Aberystwyth; bacon by Owain’s the Butcher, Aberaeron; and condiments by Costcutters in Aberaeron.
Mr Rees said: “This was an excellent opportunity for members across the agricultural industry to come together to discuss the recent Common Agricultural Policy announcements.
“We were all unanimous in our call to the minister for natural resources and food Alun Davies to ensure that Pillar 2 money should return to farmers in a meaningful way.”
Those attending the breakfast expressed their disappointment with the recent announcement of the 15% transfer from Pillar 1 to Pillar 2 and members urged Elin Jones to stress the importance of this issue further to Alun Davies to ensure Welsh farmers can compete on a level playing field with other countries as well as securing the longevity of the Welsh family farm.
“We are very grateful for everybody’s attendance and their generosity as the event raised £325 for the union president Emyr Jones’s charities T? Hafan and T? Gobaith,” added FUW Ceredigion county executive officer Caryl Wyn-Jones.
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From left, Aled Rees with Elin Jones, Morgan Evans of Rhostyddyn, Devil’s Bridge and Trefor Jones, Cwmcae, Bow Street.[/caption]
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Aled Rees at the head of the table discussing CAP with local farmers[/caption]