Veterinarians and farmers’ role in cattle farms’ biosecurity: who must set the example? - EnvA - École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort Accéder directement au contenu
Communication Dans Un Congrès Année : 2023

Veterinarians and farmers’ role in cattle farms’ biosecurity: who must set the example?

Résumé

Biosecurity (BS) measures are essential tools for maintaining a favourable health situation in farms. They allow the control of a large number of risk factors for the introduction and spread of pathogens within and between farms. In pig and poultry farms, recent health crises led to biosecurity measures’ strengthening. Conversely, BS practices in French cattle farms are poorly documented and are thought to be far from recommendations. The aim of this study was to investigate veterinarians’ and farmers’ BS practices and perceptions in two French administrative areas and their relations for BS application. Semi-directive interviews of fourteen veterinarians and sixteen farmers were led and analysed in 2021. They were asked about their knowledge about BS, their BS practices and their view about BS in cattle farms. Interviewed veterinarians had a fine knowledge about BS but their practices were not consistent with it as they did not apply basic BS measures like boots cleaning and sanitization. Most saw themselves as the professional that must set an example but did not assume this role. Indeed, they tended to adapt their practices to the level of BS of the farm they visit: in a cattle farm with a low level of BS, veterinarians could tend to less follow basic BS standards and therefore deteriorate even more its BS. Farmers had little knowledge about BS measures and applied few. Most perceived it as constraining and of little use. They identified veterinarians as a potential counsellor but some pointed out peer testimony could be a good lever to convince them to improve their BS practices. Each stakeholder seemed to expect something from the other. Veterinarians expected better appliance of BS in farms to motivate their own BS practices; farmers needed veterinarian’s advices. Levers to improve BS should adjust to both. Some should improve farmer’s BS knowledge, convince them of its utility and help them putting BS into practice; other should support veterinarians’ expert role.
Fichier non déposé

Dates et versions

hal-04380187 , version 1 (08-01-2024)

Identifiants

  • HAL Id : hal-04380187 , version 1

Citer

Valentine Guétin-Poirier. Veterinarians and farmers’ role in cattle farms’ biosecurity: who must set the example?. 2023 International ISESSAH Conference Understanding stakeholder behaviour and socio-economic implications of practices and policies of animal health, Jun 2023, Helsinki, Finland. ⟨hal-04380187⟩

Collections

ANSES ENVA EPIMAI
8 Consultations
0 Téléchargements

Partager

Gmail Mastodon Facebook X LinkedIn More