Dairy farmers are calling for immediate action on eradicating TB amid claims that the disease is now spiralling out of control.

Latest Defra figures show new infections were up 24 per cent year on year between January and August. Now the country is on course for yet another shocking annual toll of TB casualties – and yet another compensation bill for taxpayers.

Chairman of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, Lyndon Edwards, who has a 560-acre family farm near Chepstow, said: "Defra's latest data has reinforced our view that something has to happen, and happen fast because the disease has spun completely out of control.

"We do not want any more delaying tactics; we believe that we have put forward a sensible and workable approach. However, it's a case of delivering and putting those proposals into action from immediate effect. It's time the Government took leadership to control the disease."

The number of new herd TB incidents increased by 24 per cent to 3,373 over the first eight months of the year, while the number of reactors slaughtered increased by 45 per cent to 23,866 head of cattle. That means Britain is well on the way to seeing 40,000 slaughtered by the end of this year.

With the prospect of the European Commission taking over responsibility for controlling TB – its special taskforce is expected to arrive in the new year – Defra Secretary Hilary Benn has set up a cross-industry "eradication group".

However, farmers' suspicions that this was yet another delaying tactic were confirmed when Mr Benn appeared to sideline the issue of badger culling, telling MPs the group would be considering more cattle controls and testing.

Mr Edwards said the group was a step in the right direction. "However it requires commitment from Government, without its usual vacillation," he said.