VETS in Gwent are still waiting to be paid by MAFF for their services during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The revelations came as MAFF came under more fire for delays in paying compensation to farmers for the slaughter of their animals due to foot and mouth.

Gwent FUW development officer, Neil Smith, told the Argus that some of the region's vets have said they have yet to be paid for work done on behalf of the ministry.

MAFF apologised for its delays in payment for work and compensation, but stressed that extra staff had been brought in and were working "seven days a week" in a bid to pay out wages and compensation within three weeks.

The spokeswoman added that nearly £109 million in compensation had been paid out to 1,110 claimants, and a further £80 million was currently being processed.

Mr Smith said: "Some Gwent practices have told me they've not been paid by MAFF, and with the increasing workload issuing livestock movement licences, some are considering withdrawing their help to concentrate on their practices."

But a philosophical Glyn Davies, senior partner at Riverside Veterinary Centre, Abergavenny, said although he had waited more than a month to be paid by MAFF he could understand the delay.

"I submitted a claim at the end of March and I am not surprised at not having received a payment one month later when you consider the backlog and the chaos."

Farmer David Probert, from Grosmont, saw his livestock wiped out by the foot-and-mouth outbreak. He is among farmers in the area angry about delays in compensation payments.

Mr Probert, who runs 60-acre Roan Oak Farm, in Grosmont, near Abergavenny, suffered the heartbreak of seeing his 50 cattle and 70 sheep slaughtered on March 22 after MAFF vets confirmed that one of his ewes had contracted the disease.

An angry Mr Probert told the Argus: "My animals were slaughtered on March 22 and I should have received my compensation 21 days later, but I have heard nothing."

Responding to the concerns, a MAFF spokeswoman told the Argus: "We do regret the delay to any payments to contractors and we try to process most payments within three weeks.

"And the problems of compensation are interlinked in this situation. We are working very hard to deal with claims as quickly as possible."

l One new case of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in Wales yesterday.

The disease has been confirmed in sheep in Brecon, Powys. The total number of confirmed Welsh cases now stands at 86._____