Understanding how on-farm biosecurity perceptions and practices of New South Wales sheep producers have been impacted by the 2022 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Indonesia.

Abstract

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly infectious transboundary emergency animal disease posing a significant threat to the global economy. Australia strengthened border security following the 2022 FMD outbreak in Indonesia allocating resources to promote biosecurity awareness and engagement. This study qualitatively investigated the impact of this extension on the biosecurity perceptions and practices of sheep producers in New South Wales, Australia. Eighteen sheep producers participated in semi-structured interviews during August-September 2023. Thematic analysis revealed biosecurity to be perceived as important for industry and enterprise productivity; however, on-farm biosecurity practices were mostly associated solely with bioexclusion. Seven producers engaged directly with post-Indonesian FMD outbreak extension and reported increased FMD awareness. Changes to on-farm biosecurity were made by half the participants following the 2022 Indonesian FMD outbreak, with three of these having received extension engagement. The main explanations for lack of change were the perceptions that no change to disease risk had occurred, that current practices adequately mitigated risk and that change would be impractical. Future studies aimed at further understanding the factors that influence both the immediate and long-term effectiveness of extension activities would be beneficial to the development of future biosecurity extension and policy.