New figures show that bovine TB is out of control in many parts of the country. 39,247 cattle were slaughtered in 2008, a jump from 27,570 the previous year and up from just 3,669 in 1997.
The Shadow Agriculture Minister, James Paice, slammed Labour for "dithering while 40,000 cattle are lost each year to bovine TB."
The number of counties affected by bovine TB has risen from 12 to 32 under Labour and has cost taxpayers £657 million since 1997.
James stressed the "enormous cost to both farmers and taxpayers who are ultimately footing the bill", adding:
"Hilary Benn's desire to wait for a vaccine which is five years away is irresponsible. By then every county could be infected and the number of cattle slaughtered could easily exceed 50,000 a year."