More than 10,000 cattle were slaughtered in Wales last year because of bovine TB, new figures have revealed.

The amount, which has doubled in just five years, shows the urgent need for action says Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies.

"We all know that TB is a very serious problem in Wales but the speed at which the disease is spiralling out of control is truly shocking," he said.

In answer to a written Assembly question by Mr Davies, Rural Affairs minister Elin Jones said that the disease led to the slaughter of 5,660 cattle in 2003. This figure jumped to 10,570 in the first eleven months of last year – almost the same total as the whole of 2003 and 2004.

"These figures reveal the urgent need for action to tackle the problem," added Mr Davies.

"The Welsh Assembly Government has spent enough time talking and needs to start doing something if it is to get a grip of the situation."