A GWENT farmer is appealing after government officials refused to give him his full compensation payment for his culled cattle.

Martin Cull, (pictured with his wife Carey) who farmed 101 sheep and nine cattle at his three smallholdings, had his stock valued at £18,750 by two Defra vets before his livestock was slaughtered back in March. Now Defra (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) the government body that replaced MAFF, says it is only going to give him £14,860 after insisting that Mr Cull will only be compensated to the department's maximum amount.

Now Monmouth AM David Davies is seeking an urgent meeting with the National Assembly's Rural Affairs Minister Carwyn Jones to discuss the "outrageous treatment" of Mr Cull.

Mr Cull, who farms in the Monmouthshire village of Grosmont, near Abergavenny, said the vets agreed to give him the £18,000 valuation as he had a pedigree herd of cattle. He said: "When my livestock were about to be slaughtered I had two options - have an auctioneer value the stock or a ministry vet.

"Ministry officials said it would be quicker if they carried out the valuation, so I agreed, thinking I was doing the right thing.

"The vets and I both signed a statement saying that I would receive £18,750 for my slaughtered livestock.

"But when the cheque came through the post four months later it appears they have only paid me £14,860.

"I have asked my Defra representative about the shortfall and he said that they will only pay the maximum flat amount. It's sickening.

"It is a terrible thing to lose all your animals that are your life, but to find out you have to fight for the compensation which is due to you is beyond belief."

Grosmont was dubbed 'Death Valley' after five farms were struck down by foot-and-mouth. Mr Cull's holdings were not infected by foot and mouth but his animals were slaughtered on a dangerous contact rule.

Mr Davies AM said: "I am appalled that officials, instead of behaving honourably, are now trying to renege on the agreement.

"Farmers do not need the additional stress, and I have written to Carwyn Jones, asking for an urgent meeting."