Research in Veterinary Science
Highlights
- Insufficient level of C&D of livestock vehicles reported from Scottish markets users.
- Little differences found in C&D activities between commercial and non-commercial sectors.
- Several high-risk behaviors identified.
- Risk of disease spread from visually clean livestock vehicles is high in Scotland.
Abstract
Background
Livestock markets are critical intermediaries in the movement of cattle and sheep between herds and to abattoirs. Disease prevention strategies promoting Cleansing & Disinfection (C&D) of vehicles moving animals from markets are in place in Scotland to reduce the risk of widespread transmission of pathogens within the livestock industry. However, little is known about how market users implement C&D on their vehicles and how these may differ between sectors of the industry.