RURAL Affairs Minister Elin Jones has welcomed this week’s Welsh Assembly vote in favour of plans to trap and shoot badgers in north Pembrokeshire as part of a programme to get rid of bovine TB.

But local protesters say they are stepping up their campaign and want a public meeting; and others are seeking a judicial review.

AMs voted on Wednesday to throw out a motion calling for the ministerial order underpinning the cull to be thrown out. The motion was defeated nine votes to 43.

Ms Jones said: "The need to take urgent and decisive action to tackle this disease remains as vital now as when we embarked on this programme.

"Between January and the end of August this year over 8,000 cattle have been slaughtered in Wales as a consequence of bovine TB. The cost of compensation to taxpayers has risen from £1.8million in 2000-01 to just under £24million in the last financial year and could exceed £80million by 2013-14 if the current trend continues. This is during a time when I have introduced further administrative measures to ensure that compensation is paid at market value."

She added: "However, plenty of evidence shows that culling badgers can significantly reduce TB in cattle.

Meanwhile, the Badger Trust is seeking a judicial review of the decision to order a cull of badgers. The organisation, which says the plan is not backed by scientific evidence, has written to Elin Jones asking her to suspend the process.

The Assembly Government confirmed it has received a letter from solicitors and will be considering its response.

The Badger Trust says the cull is at odds with "the overwhelming preponderance of scientific evidence".

Pembrokeshire Against the Cull (PAC) is stepping up its programme of awareness raising following the pro-cull vote and is planning a series of public events throughout the winter.

Dr Adrian Stallwood, a spokesperson for PAC, said: "The Welsh Assembly has bowed to pressure from cull-obsessed farmers and vets. Killing badgers has been shown time and time again to contribute nothing to bTB eradication. The experts responsible for the definitive culling trials have shown how the farming unions are using figures with no scientific basis. Ireland killed 7,000 badgers last year, and its cattle TB problem goes from bad to worse. There is no rational or moral justification for this cowardly decision."

The group says it is now keener than ever to meet Dr Glossop, the Assembly’s chief vet, and would welcome her presence at a public meeting.