5. In assessing for the purposes of paragraph 4(2) above the number of eligible cows in an eligible herd on a qualifying day, the appropriate Minister may disregard any temporary reduction in numbers on that day when he is satisfied that such reduction has been caused by the slaughter of cows in the course of brucellosis eradication, and that those cows have been or will be replaced as soon as is reasonably practicable by the owner of the herd with cows which the appropriate Minister is satisfied are eligible cows, and may make incentive payments in respect of such number of eligible cows as would, in his opinion, have been comprised in that herd on that qualifying day had its numbers not been reduced by reason of such slaughter.