Farmers in Pembrokeshire who lose cattle to TB can no longer choose their own valuer, after a rule change announced this week by DEFRA.

Every year dozens of local farmers are forced to have some of their best stock culled under the animal health control programme.

The problem is so acute in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire that over 100 cattle a week are currently being slaughtered.

Until now, farmers have had the right to select their own valuer to agree a fair price but this right was removed last Wednesday.

Under the revised procedures, DEFRA will have its own panel of valuers and they will be allocated to farms based on a weekly rota system.

Huw Evans, of west Wales auctioneers, Bob Jones-Prytherch, predicts problems ahead. He sits on the valuations panel and visits many local farms every week to value TB reactors and in-contact stock. He will continue to value stock but may not be allocated to farmers who would previously have specifically requested him.

"Farmers will have no say in who values their stock any longer,'' said Mr Evans. "A farmer may have personal reasons why he does not favour a particular valuer or he may not have confidence in a valuer because that valuer may not be as knowledgeable about current market values as another."

Bovine TB shows no signs of diminishing in west Wales. Athough the level of farms with disease breakdowns has decreased slightly, the numbers of affected stock on farms has escalated.

Full market value is paid for cattle slaughtered under TB control measures but there is no compensation for loss of production. Over £34 million was paid in compensation in Britain in 2003/04.

It has been hinted that farmers will one day have to insure against TB but feedback from farmers suggests that insurance companies are unwilling to take on this liability.

DEFRA insisted the revised rules would be fairer.

"In the case of a disputed valuation it has become common practice for valuers appointed by DEFRA and the farmer to carry out valuations and agree a price.

"The valuations process needs to be revised in order to bring it in line with legislation,'' said a spokesman.

Where the owner of TB reactors or in-contact animals has not agreed a valuation with the State Veterinary Service, or where it has not been possible to agree on a single jointly appointed valuer, valuations will be performed by a valuer nominated by the President of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

"The valuation made by the RICS nominated valuer will be final and binding on both DEFRA and the farmer,'' said the DEFRA spokesman.