A DISCUSSION on CAP reform was dished up in a west Wales farmhouse kitchen last week.

Aled Rees, of Trefere Fawr, Penparc, near Cardigan hosted the breakfast to celebrate Farmhouse Breakfast Week and discuss the future of Welsh farming with 40 local farmers, politicians, food business owners and representatives from agricultural bodies.

“This was an excellent opportunity for members across the agricultural industry to come together to discuss the recent CAP announcements,” said Mr Rees, who is the FUW county chairman in Ceredigion.

“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 at the 15% funding transfer from pillar 1 (direct payments to farmers) to pillar 2 (rural development) and they urged local AM Elin Jones to stress the importance of the issue in the Assembly 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.

Mr and Mrs Tony Burgess, of Birchgrove Farm, Trawscoed, near Aberystwyth, kindly donated eggs for the breakfast; 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.

The event raised £325 for the FUW president’s chosen charities T? Hafan and T? Gobaith.