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Table 6 Reported suggestions for improvement of on-farm biosecurity reported by professionals visiting farms in their work

From: On-farm biosecurity as perceived by professionals visiting Swedish farms

Suggestions for improved biosecurity

(n)

Protective clothing made available on-farm; clean, warm and of adequate size (f)

65

Information to farmers, making farmers more aware, active dialogue with farmers, move the responsibility to the farmers (com)

58

Warm water, soap, wash basin and paper-towels available on-farm (f)

57

Hard surface and water hose with adequate pressure available on-farm to clean boots and equipment, adequately located (f)

34

Hygiene barriers, separating clean area from dirty area to avoid recontamination (f)

22

Education, both for farmers and professionals

22

Always keep up good routines; clean clothing and good hygiene (own)

19

Separate load-out areas, people present on the farm who can handle the animals when loading (f)

14

Bring disposable gloves, hand disinfectant etc. in the car (own)

14

Hand disinfectant (f)

11

Foot bath (f)

10

Protective clothing suitable in wintertime (low temperature) (w)

10

Consider risk for disease spread when planning routes between farms (own)

10

Hand washing (own)

10

National biosecurity guidelines for both farmers and professionals. All professionals should require the same level of conditions for biosecurity from the farmers (e.g. always requiring clean boots and protective clothing).

9

Clean surfaces available on-farm where to put the equipment (f)

8

Good general hygiene on-farm (f)

8

Farmers should be open about the current disease status of the farm (com)

8

Journal articles, information via organizations, brochures (com)

7

More protective clothes and washing machines provided by the employer (w)

7

Written routines (w)

7

A national on-farm biosecurity programme, with a certification worth more than just a paper

6

Active dialogue among colleagues (w)

6

Better routines in the car (w)

6

Professional attitude, serve as the good example, point out the advantages with biosecurity (com)

5

Other*

29

  1. Based on an open ended question in a questionnaire to Swedish veterinarians, AI-technicians, animal welfare inspectors, livestock hauliers and hoof trimmers in 2012–2013.
  2. (f) = on-farm, (w) = workplace, (com) = communication.
  3. *Other = Suggestions for improved on-farm biosecurity for visitors reported by less than five responders, for example: Storage boxes for used protective clothing in the car, Equipment available on the farm, e.g. for hoof trimming, Sign on the door, stating no entrance without permission from the farmer, Already when planning for new stables, biosecurity and disease prevention should be included, Have higher demands , “have the guts to speak up to farmers and colleagues”, Provide financial incentives, Sell protective clothing and hand disinfectant to farmers, To clean equipment, Equipment that is easy to clean.