The Role of Biosecurity in the Control of Campylobacter: A Qualitative Study of the Attitudes and Perceptions of UK Broiler Farm Workers

Abstract

Campylobacter is the leading cause of human bacterial diarrhoeal disease worldwide, with poultry meat products contributing to a large proportion of cases. Due to the ubiquitous presence of Campylobacter in the poultry farm environment, biosecurity is the main area for intervention to prevent colonisation of commercial broiler chicken flocks. However, research has repeatedly demonstrated that farmers' uptake of biosecurity recommendations is often poor. This study explored farmers' attitudes towards biosecurity and identified barriers to effective implementation of biosecurity protocols. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 1–3 members of staff on each of 16 broiler farms; 6 owned by, and 10 contracted to, 3 different UK poultry integrators. In total, 28 interviewees participated, including farm owners, managers, and workers, with a range of industry experience. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed high levels of recognition amongst broiler farmers of the importance of Campylobacter and the responsibility of the whole farm-to-fork chain within the poultry industry to reduce Campylobacter contamination of chicken meat for the benefit of public health. Participants' self-reported awareness and implementation of biosecurity has improved significantly following the industry-wide focus on Campylobacter control. However, there are frustrations with the industry's approach to tackling Campylobacter and the heavy burden of responsibility that has been put on interventions at the farm-level. There was also scepticism amongst participants as to the effectiveness of current biosecurity measures in the reduction of Campylobacter. Nevertheless, the interviewees' recognition of the benefit of improved biosecurity on broiler health and welfare and other important targets, such as reducing antimicrobial usage, leaves a legacy of which the UK broiler industry can be proud. There is scope for further farmer education about the evidence supporting biosecurity interventions, particularly in the control of Campylobacter, and a need to establish more effective channels of communication. Furthermore, to give all players within the industry agency and investment in industry targets, contributions from all levels should be permitted in the design of future biosecurity interventions. Biosecurity compliance may be improved through collaborative efforts, such as participatory and co-design practises, to facilitate knowledge co-creation and exchange.

Determinants of farmers' biosecurity mindset: A social-ecological model using systems thinking

“…Recent studies have identified social and psychological factors that influence farmers' decisions about the implementation of biosecurity such as available information ( 9 ), farmers' knowledge and experience ( 10 – 13 ), social pressure ( 12 , 14 – 16 ) and time or economic constraints ( 13 , 16 – 19 ). This array of factors determines what kind of biosecurity measures farmers will adopt.…”

Intervention Strategies to Control Campylobacter at Different Stages of the Food Chain

“…Campylobacter transmission can also be attributed to human activity on poultry farms; contaminated clothes, skin, and boots of farmworkers and transport crates, either due to biosecurity breaches during the process of partial flock depopulation (thinning) or insufficient implementation of strict biosecurity measures, may contribute to the transmission of Campylobacter from the external environment into poultry houses [ 20 , 33 , 41 ]. Partial flock depopulation is a common practice in many European countries where a portion of a flock is removed and sent for slaughtering before the final slaughter age.…”

“…It is widely believed that raising chickens in modern state-of-the-art production systems and full implementation of biosecurity measures would significantly tackle Campylobacter infections. Yet, Campylobacter remains a challenge despite the fact that such measures are being undertaken in European countries, such as the UK, and New Zealand [ 41 , 44 ]. As a result, novel on-farm mitigation strategies and complementary approaches should be applied.…”

The attitude-behaviour gap in biosecurity: Applying social theories to understand the relationships between commercial chicken farmers' attitudes and behaviours

“…Siekkinen et al (8) emphasised that on-farm biosecurity is a critical component of disease prevention and control. Recently, studies have applied both quantitative and qualitative approaches to understand farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and underlying drivers related to on-farm biosecurity practises (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Studies also discovered how social cues, messages of infection risk and message delivery methods affect farmers' compliance with biosecurity (18)(19)(20)(21).…”