Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

793. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will change the current regime to ensure that scans are accepted as proof of a cow being in-calf in cases of TB outbreaks as farmers risk losing significant sums of money if a post-mortem examination fails to pick up on the fact that a cow was in the early stages of being in-calf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57894/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Scans are not accepted by the Department as a means of verifying the pregnancy. The post-mortem result carried out at the factory of slaughter is final in this regard as it is the most accurate means of verification. The post-mortem is conducted by a Veterinary Inspector and includes a visual examination of the uterus.

It is worth noting that the pregnancy status of cattle may change between when a scan is carried out and when the animal is slaughtered and examined post-mortem. Unfortunately, rates of bovine foetal loss can be high, particularly in early pregnancy.

The TB compensation scheme is designed to ensure that all affected herdowners receive suitable compensation for each animal in question, the above method for determining pregnancy in a reactor animals ensures fairness across all herd-owners.