SOME tourism firms in Gwent whose trade was hit by the foot-and-mouth outbreak may not get compensation.

Wales' minister for rural affairs Carwyn Jones (pictured) has said it is not right for the Government to pay compensation to every business which has lost out through the crisis.

His comments - during a debate in the Assembly Agriculture and Rural Development Committee - sparked an angry reaction from a former tourist boss.

Abergavenny farmer Chris Belcham, of Deriside, who is a former chairman of the local tourist association, said Monmouthshire businesses were still struggling to recover. He told the Argus: "As farmers we are asked to diversify and now we have been hit three ways - by BSE, then by foot-and-mouth, and those of us who went into bed and breakfast have been hit again.

"The foot-and-mouth outbreak had a catastrophic effect and we are all most grateful for the help we have received from Monmouth-shire county council, which has helped us with rebates on community tax and money to help cover our losses. We were 30 per cent down on our bed and breakfast trade and without this help from the council people would be well and truly stuck.

"No-one is looking for profits, they are looking to keep their heads above water and stay in business."

In his report on Diversifi-cation of the Rural Eco-nomy, Mr Jones said the agriculture budget was not something that could be "extended or stretched".

He warned: "We have to find a way of funding rural areas the best we can. If we had more funding it would have to come out of health or education or another part of the budget. "I don't believe it is right that the government has to pay compensation to every business which loses out whatever happens.

"If a business loses out through foot-and-mouth disease, should such a business receive compensation if the season is bad?

"What we are trying to do is to ensure people have enough money to make it through the winter, ensuring that they do not face financial problems."