ANIMAL rights protesters plan a demonstration outside the Welsh Assembly offices in Colwyn Bay on Saturday against a proposed badger cull.
The protest will build on a National Badger Rally held outside the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff last month which generated, according to protesters, more support for the campaign against the badger cull.
Announcing the decision not to kill any more badgers in England, DEFRA minister Hilary Benn cited the 10-year study by an independent scientific group which concluded that a cull could have a negative impact on the rate of bovine TB in cattle.
Wrexham Veggies campaigner Simon Colley said: “Having received exactly the same advice as Hilary Benn, the Welsh Assembly have disregarded the science and announced their decision to kill badgers in an attempt to gain some cheap, populist political points with farmers.
“This move is backfiring spectacularly, as pressure grows on all sides against the cull.
“AMs have been warned the wrong decision could cause long-term damage to the reputation of Wales, affecting both tourism and trade.”
Political pressure on Welsh Minister for Rural Affairs Elin Jones is being applied in the form of a motion in the House of Commons supporting the English decision, tabled by former Welsh First Minister Alun Michael.
Judi Hewitt, of North Wales Animal Rights, says she is expecting the Colwyn Bay rally to be the biggest seen in North Wales in support of animals.
It starts at 2pm outside the Assembly offices at Princes Park, Princes Drive, Colwyn Bay and will be followed by a march to the promenade for speeches.
Retired Holywell cleric the Rev James Thompson, a noted animal campaigner, will deliver prayers.
