Biosecurity and the Regulation of Animal Health: The Case of Bovine Tuberculosis
Lead Researchers: Dr Gareth Enticott and Dr Alex Franklin
Background
This research examined the regulation and implementation of forms of biosecurity to protect against the spread of animal diseases using a case study of bovine tuberculosis in cattle and badgers. The main programme
Firstly, it investigated how biosecurity policies are shaped in different regulatory environments (England and Wales) and examined how they affect animal health policies.
Secondly, it assessed how biosecurity policies are implemented by Local Authorities, the regulatory tactics used and reasons for local variations.
Thirdly, it considered farmers’ understandings of biosecurity, how they learn about it, and why they accept or resist biosecurity measures by exploring farmers' social and cultural knowledges of animal disease and biosecurity measures.
The research involved interviews with policy makers and stakeholders responsible for development of biosecurity policies in England and Wales. Two case study areas were selected to examine in depth the implementation of biosecurity policies, using participant observation and interviews with farmers and local authority officers.
The research seeks to contribute to academic knowledge of multi-level governance, environmental regulation, public understandings of science and nature-society relations.
