# Compensation and exotic livestock disease management: the views of animal keepers and veterinarians in England

A. Hamilton-Webb, R. Naylor, R. Little, D. Maye Veterinary Record Accepted July 26, 2016

## Abstract

Relatively little is known about the perceived influence of different compensation systems on animal keepers’ management of exotic livestock disease. This paper aims to address this research gap by drawing on interviews with 61 animal keepers and 21 veterinarians, as well as a series of nine animal keeper focus groups across five different livestock sectors in England. The perceived influence of current compensation systems on disease control behaviour was explored and alternative compensation systems that respectively reward positive practices and penalise poor practices were presented in the form of scenarios, alongside a third system that considered the option of a cost- sharing levy system between industry and government. The results indicate that animal keepers consider themselves to be influenced by a range of non-financial factors, for example, feelings of responsibility, reputation and animal welfare concerns, in the context of their exotic disease management practices. The majority of animal keepers were unaware of the current compensation systems in place for exotic diseases, and were therefore not consciously influenced by financial recompense. Concerns were raised about linking compensation to disease management behaviour due to auditing difficulties. A cost-sharing levy system would likely raise awareness of exotic disease and compensation among animal keepers, but differentiation of payments based upon individual farm-level risk assessments was called for by participants as a strategy to promote positive disease management practices.

## Key words

Compensation, Disease management, Exotic disease, Scenarios, Veterinarians, Farmer perceptions

## Introduction

Outbreaks of exotic disease present a significant threat to farming, rural communities, animal keepers and the economy as a whole, and can represent a major public health risk in the case of zoonotic diseases (Defra 2015a). An exotic livestock disease is a disease not normally present in a country. In England, for instance, foot and mouth disease (FMD), bluetongue, avian influenza (AI), African pig fever, African horse sickness and anthrax are examples of exotic livestock diseases. This study defines exotic livestock disease management as practices implemented at the farm level to prevent the incidence and spread of exotic disease, such as through the uptake of biosecurity measures and the prompt identification and reporting of disease suspicion. Whilst an effective response to livestock disease involves many levels of activity and responsibility across organisations and Government, there is a legal duty incumbent upon any person who suspects that an animal may have an exotic notifiable disease to report that suspicion to the appropriate authorities. In England, the first point of contact is the local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) duty veterinarian who will assess the situation and arrange appropriate investigation (Defra 2015a). Thus, to limit the spread of exotic disease before controls are applied, it is imperative that animal keepers have an understanding of the clinical signs of exotic disease to ensure early detection and prompt reporting of suspicion. Where disease is detected at premises, it can often be eradicated through culling of susceptible animals, and animals identified as ‘dangerous contacts.’ Animal keepers are generally compensated for the culled animals, although levels of compensation vary across the pig, poultry,