Per Rectum Ultrasound Scanning of Cattle
The legislation
The Veterinary Surgery (Rectal Ultrasound Scanning of Bovines) Order 2002 came into force on 5 November 2002.
This Exemption Order permits any person, over the age of 18 years, who is not a veterinary surgeon, to carry out per rectum ultrasound scanning for the purposes of detecting whether cows are pregnant. This is on condition that such persons meet certain requirements, including attending a Defra approved training course, carrying out a specified number of supervised scans and gaining a 'certificate of exemption'.
The legislation applies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Guidance
'Guidance 
(130 KB) is available on this Exemption Order. It includes further information
on training, supervised scans, record keeping and details on how to become
a 'Qualified Scanner Operator'.
Training
Training is an important part of this legislation. All non-veterinarians wishing to carry out this procedure must have successfully completed a Defra approved training course.
Defra have approved two courses (run by the University of Liverpool and Nottingham Trent University). For further information on these courses please contact either:
- The CPD Office, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Leahurst, Neston, CH64 7TE (email: nugents@liverpool.ac.uk; Tel: 0151 794 6016; fax: 0151 794 6005); or
- Kim Grant or Mrs Jenny Stedman, School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst, Nottingham Road, Southwell, Nottingham, NG25 0QF (email: kim.grant@ntu.ac.uk or jennifer.stedman@ntu.ac.uk; tel: 01636 817050 or 01636 817020)
List of qualified scanner operators
Defra hold a list of qualified scanner operators
(44 KB). The purpose of holding this information is to assist the scanning
industry by offering animal owners and potential clients a list of those
individuals who are authorised by Defra to carry out ultrasound scanning
of bovines. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, only information
that has been agreed with the person concerned has been published.
Doppler rectal transponders
Doppler transponder equipment is less sophisticated than other ultrasound scanning equipment and is used on a smaller scale, normally by farmers on their own stock. That is why a different approach has been taken to minimise the burden on farmers who already own this equipment. Therefore, anyone using such Doppler equipment on a non-commercial basis is only required to obtain a letter, signed by their veterinary surgeon stating that he/she is competent to use the Doppler equipment without injury to bovines'.
Individuals wishing to use Doppler equipment on a commercial basis are subject to the same requirements as individuals using other ultrasound equipment on a commercial basis.
Further information is available in the guidance
(130 KB).
Page last modified:
23 May, 2008