Badgers to be culled to stop spread of TB

Badgers will be trapped and shot in an area of around 180 square miles (288km) in north Pembrokeshire and neighbouring parts of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

Officials said they intended to reduce the badger population "as far as we can" during limited culls over five years.

Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said she was satisfied the plans met relevant environmental legislation conditions.

It will take place in a bovine TB endemic area where 42 per cent of cattle owners have had at least one case of the disease in their herds since 2003.

The cull will be accompanied by stricter control measures, including more testing for farmers who frequently move cattle in and out of the zone.

The cost over five years is estimated at around 9 m. Contracts will go out to tender.