Dairy farmers’ decision‐making to implement biosecurity measures: A study of psychosocial factors

Abstract

Biosecurity measures are a set of management procedures that prevent the risk of introducing and spreading infectious diseases to a farm, although these measures are rarely implemented in dairy farms. There are some studies that have identified that the decision to implement biosecurity measures can be influenced by several psychosocial factors (attitudes and behaviours). Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the psychosocial factors (and their interactions) influencing the implementation of biosecurity measures in dairy farms in Spain, through the views of dairy farmers and veterinarians from Catalonia (northeast Spain) and Galicia (northwest Spain). Face‐to‐face in‐depth interviews were performed with 16 dairy farmers (nine from Catalonia and seven from Galicia) and 16 veterinarians (eight from Catalonia and eight from Galicia). Grounded theory analysis was performed on the transcripts, following the subtopics of: information sources, individual factors of the farmer, social dynamics, official veterinary services and other factors. The study identified the importance of veterinarians as a source of information, including their communication skills, the individual experiences of farmers, traditions of the farms and availability of time and space in the dairy farmer's decisions making. Further, it suggests the need to deepen the knowledge of the farm workers and the obligatory biosecurity measures. This research represents a starting point to develop future strategies to improve the implementation of biosecurity measures in dairy farms.

From Biosecurity to Security Ecologies: An Analysis between Old Dairy Farming Traditions and Routines and Veterinary Recommendations in Spain

“…2017; Moya et al . 2020). In some European countries, such as Belgium, France and Spain, most cattle veterinarians consider biosecurity a priority for their profession, and their perceptions of biosecurity can influence its proper implementation (Renault et al .…”

A survey of biosecurity measures and serological status for bovine viral diarrhoea virus and bovine herpesvirus 1 on dairy cattle farms in north‐west and north‐east Spain

“…In Spain, regional and national governments are increasingly involved in generating debate, awareness campaigns and training in promoting the implementation of biosecurity as a previous step to develop specific legislation to force farmers to implement some recommendations 36. Despite the inherent limitations of this study the authors believe it to have provided a comprehensive overview of the main biosecurity shortcomings in the dairy sector of Spain and to identify clusters in terms of biosecurity measures and sanitary status.…”

“…They also often receive courtesy visits from them, since such farms function with close links between the farm and the farmer's own house, as has been described elsewhere. 36 Despite the lack of several biosecurity measures, the proportion of such farms with recent or active BoHV-1 or BVDV infection was low, possibly due to several factors. The most prominent refers to the nature of the aforementioned BVD and IBR control programmes in Spain: these are voluntary and executed only in some ACs.…”

“…They also often receive courtesy visits from them, since such farms function with close links between the farm and the farmer’s own house, as has been described elsewhere. 36 …”

“…Additionally, the high number of visitors they receive may be related to the fact that small farms more frequently require timely collaboration from neighbouring farmers (eg, in the case of a calving). They also often receive courtesy visits from them, since such farms function with close links between the farm and the farmer’s own house, as has been described elsewhere 36…”