[caption id="attachment_6136" align="aligncenter" width="300"] (l-r) Enjoying the breakfast morning are former FUW President Gareth Vaughan , FUW Managing Director Alan Davies, FUW farming stalwart Meurig Voyle and FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6135" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Denbigh and Flint branch of the FUW cooked up a storm at Glan Llyn Pub, Clawddnewydd[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6134" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Ceredigion branch of the FUW were joined by Mark Williams MP and FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas (l) at their Penrhyn-coch breakfast function[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6133" align="aligncenter" width="300"] It’s good to talk over breakfast around the table – FUW Meirionnydd hosts a successful breakfast at Brydir Farm, Dyffryn Ardudwy[/caption]

Farmhouse kitchens across Wales filled the air with the wonderful smell of freshly cooked breakfast produce last month as members and friends of the Farmers’ Union of Wales once again supported the annual Farmhouse Breakfast week  (January 24 to 30).

The total of 13 breakfasts, which were held across Meirionnydd, Caernarfon, Denbigh and Flintshire and Ceredigion, raised £6,500 for the FUW’s chosen charity British Heart Foundation Cymru.

Over 650 friends and members of the FUW indulged in locally sourced breakfast produce ranging from bacon, eggs, sausages, cheese and other dairy products to promote the benefits of eating a healthy and balanced breakfast every day.

As members and friends of the Union came together around the breakfast table, many used the opportunity to share their thoughts and worries about the state of the industry.

FUW President Glyn Roberts, who hosted a breakfast function at his farm Dylasau Uchaf, Padog, Betws y Coed, said: “The breakfast functions offer fantastic opportunities for us on a variety of levels.

“We get to enjoy and promote the great food we produce here in Wales and through that advocate a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle, we get to raise money for our charity and we also all get to sit around the same table to share what’s on our mind.

“I would like to thank all those who supported the breakfast functions again this year - may that have been by attending, sponsoring or hosting. It is important that we come together round a table as a Union, a family and industry to safeguard what keeps the hills and valleys of Wales alive.”

The Caernarfonshire Branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has arranged a special open meeting to explain the changes to the sheep identification rules since January 1 and the new electronic sheep reporting system for Wales known as ‘EID Cymru’.

The meeting will be held at Clynnog Fawr Hall, Clynnog Fawr next Wednesday, February 10 at 7.30pm. The main presentation will be by John Richards of Hybu Cig Cymru, who has been seconded by HCC to set up the new system.

Also present will be Emyr Owen from Farming Connect to explain what is available under the scheme and provide details about preparing of Personal Development Plans.

FUW Caernarfonshire Chairman Tudur Parry said: “This meeting provides an excellent opportunity for farmers to raise any questions they may have and I urge them not to miss out.

“With the need for all sheep movements to be recorded on the Welsh Government’s EIDCymru database from this year onwards, the prospect of such a change raises significant concerns within the industry, and many remain confused as to what they are expected to do, particularly if accessing the online system is not an option due, for example, to a lack of broadband in many areas.

“Any farmers wishing to use EIDCymru to report or confirm their sheep movements will be provided with the information needed to use the system, during the meeting.”

Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity for questions or comments on the new arrangements.

These are very important changes which apply to all sheep farmers. A large number of FUW members are expected to attend, and more details are available from the Union’s Caernarfonshire office 01286 672 541 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

[caption id="attachment_6120" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Gwion and Louise Llwyd hosted the breakfast at Brydir Farm with FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6121" align="aligncenter" width="300"] It’s good talk over breakfast around the table – FUW Meirionnydd hosts a successful breakfast at Brydir Farm, Dyffryn Ardudwy[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6122" align="aligncenter" width="300"] (l-r) FUW Managing Director Alan Davies, the family at Waun – Catrin, Rhun, Gaenor, Glesni and Glyndwr; Liz Saville Roberts MP, and FUW North Wales Finance & Organisation Committee Member Dewi Owen[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6123" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Llew Coch staff, including Ceris, Berwyn and Beryl Hughes; Farming Connect Development Officer Meirionnydd Eryl P Roberts and Meironnydd FUW Vice Chairman Geraint Davies[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6124" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Alwen Davies, Haf Puw, Connie Davies, and Gwenno Puw cooked up a storm for breakfast guests at Castell Hen Farm, Parc[/caption]

Members and friends of the Farmers’ Union of Wales in Meirionnydd enjoyed a week of indulgent Welsh farmhouse breakfast events, in aid of the British Heart Foundation Cymru.

The four events, which were held at Saturday, January 23 at Waun Farm, Llanergryn, Monday, January 25 at Castell Hen Farm, Parc, Wednesday, January 27 at Brydir Farm, Dyffryn Ardudwy and Thursday, January 28 at Y Llew Coch, Dinas Mawddwy, raised £1400 for the Union’s chosen charitable cause.

County Executive Officer Huw Jones, who has been organising the events, said: “I would like to first and foremost thank all of our breakfast hosts for cooking up a storm of Welsh produce breakfast delights and of course our generous produce sponsors. We are also extremely grateful to those who attended the events – there has been overwhelming support.

“The FUW has been supporting the farmhouse breakfast week for 16 years now and at a local level it is going from strength to strength.

“Not only are we able to raise money for a very worthwhile cause but it also gives us the chance to come together round a table and talk.

“There is no doubt that eating a nutritious balanced breakfast is good for our health and well-being, but so is talking. When we all sit together as a family we can talk about our worries and problems and together find a solution over a cup of tea.”

[caption id="attachment_6117" align="aligncenter" width="300"] "Newly appointed FUW Managing Director Alan Davies says the opportunity to be here in Wales, to work in Welsh, to be able to influence Welsh Government policy and represent an important cause was far too good an opportunity to miss"[/caption]

Having celebrated their 60th Anniversary in December last year, the Farmers’ Union of Wales has appointed a Welsh speaking London-Welshman as its new Managing Director.

Alan Davies, whose family emanate from Ceredigion, had an early career in the Army and for the last 20+ years has lived and worked in and around Cardiff establishing and growing some high impact businesses in south Wales.

More recently he has managed complex project relationships between large companies in Wales and the Welsh Government.

“I’m truly excited about the challenge this position offers. The FUW is unique: it is the only body authorised by the UK Government to speak exclusively on behalf of the Farmers of Wales, our members are from within Wales, our funding all emanates from within Wales and of course we are not influenced by external or corporate decision makers.

“Our focus is all about making Wales a better place with strong, sustainable rural economies and with over 35 percent of the country's population in the rural economy this is a challenge that needs serious attention.

“Of course we face some challenging and exciting times: there are global issues that affect farming, the EU referendum represents a dangerous moment that could take us into worrying territory and of course the imminent Welsh Assembly elections represent more possibility for change. We will however work with any and all parties to strengthen the future of Wales,” said Mr Davies.

At the recent FUW annual Farmhouse Breakfast in the Senedd, FUW President Glyn Roberts, commented: “We are delighted to have Alan on our team. Not only does he bring a tremendous range of skills that will help us strengthen the position of the FUW as the leading representative of farmers throughout Wales, but his fresh ideas and innovative approach will be of great value to our work in making Wales stronger.”

At the same event, Mr Davies commented on the importance of working together: “Teamwork, cooperation, collaboration: we must all work together to ensure that our rural economy remains an important part of the future of Wales, and we must recognise the importance that agriculture plays in our hearts, on our tables and in the rural economy.”