NFU CYMRU members in Meirionnydd have learned more about the successful partnership between McDonald’s and UK farming.

The guest speaker for the recent NFU Cymru Meirionnydd county conference was McDonald’s franchisee Ron Mounsey, who gave those logged into the virtual event an insight into the fast food chain’s reliance on farm produce.

Mr Mounsey, originally from Cumbria, told members about his background living and working on dairy farms and that he was inspired to explore the opportunity to become a McDonald’s franchisee after reading an article in Reader’s Digest.

After an initial nine-month period working on the restaurant shop floor, Mr Mounsey opened his first McDonald’s franchise in Carmarthen in 1998.

Today, he runs 16 restaurants across South Wales and employs nearly 1,500 people, making him one of the larger private employers in Wales.

Mr Mounsey’s youngest daughter has recently taken over one of his restaurants, making her a second generation franchisee.

Members were told that McDonald’s uses only 100 per cent British and Irish beef and for over 20 years has only used free range eggs.

McDonald’s also sources British RSPCA-assured pork and uses UK organic milk for its teas, coffees, porridge and Happy Meal milk bottles.

The chain uses only British potatoes for its fries.

Mr Mounsey said: “It’s a fascinating supply chain how it all comes together.

"We’re huge customers of UK farming and I’m proud to say that, coming from a farming background. I think it’s really important that we continue to support UK farming going forward – we need farming and we need farmers.”

NFU Cymru deputy president Aled Jones thanked Mr Mounsey for his insightful presentation and updated members on the key areas of NFU Cymru’s work over the last 12 months.

NFU Cymru Meirionnydd county chairman Rhodri Jones said: “We’re grateful to Ron for making the time to speak to this evening and giving us a fascinating account of how he has grown his empire of McDonald’s franchise restaurants in South Wales.

"It is heartening to know that UK farmers play such an integral role in the McDonald’s success story and I’m sure farmers here in Meirionnydd, and across Wales, are keen to keep supplying the restaurant chain’s growing customer base.”