Assessing The Feasibility Of Enhanced Biosecurity For Foot-And-Mouth Disease In The Northeast Raw Milk Transportation Network

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals with historical global outbreaks resulting in severe economic losses. Although the United States eradicated FMD in 1929, a potential outbreak could have significant consequences for multiple agricultural industries. In the dairy industry, collection and transportation of raw milk during an FMD outbreak is considered a medium to high-risk activity for disease transmission, with personnel and milk transport vehicles representing primary contamination concerns. To mitigate these risks, Biosecurity Performance Standards (BPS) have been established for the raw milk transportation network. Practices are not based on the Northeast dairy industry and may be difficult to meet. However, addressing these challenges may mitigate disease spread and maintain continuity of business for the dairy industry.This research comprises two studies aimed at assessing biosecurity practices within the dairy transportation network. The first study examines milk truck hauler behavior in relation to established biosecurity protocols. A survey of milk truck haulers in Vermont was conducted between July 2008 and September 2009 with 57 respondents, while a subsequent survey attempt in 2023 yielded no responses. Although the initial survey did not reveal statistically significant findings, demographic statistics highlighted low compliance with some biosecurity practices, including entering animal areas on farms, lack of footwear disinfection, and lack of vehicular cleaning. These findings highlight the need for further research in milk truck hauler behavior, and behavioral factors that can drive compliance with regulations. The objective of the second study was to characterize and assess enhanced biosecurity compliance abilities in raw milk receiving plants in the Northeast. A survey of plants in the Northeast was conducted between August and December 2024 and yielded 22 responses. Descriptive statistical analysis and mean comparisons between lower and higher volume plants revealed variation in ability to implement enhanced biosecurity practices between plants. Higher volume plants collect more information on vehicle movement than lower volume plants and are more likely to record the individual milk tanker number. Notably, fewer than half (45%) of respondent plants have a location for enhanced cleaning and disinfection of milk trucks and tankers, with the largest barriers identified as space and staffing. Further research is needed with greater industry representation to address challenges in implementing enhanced biosecurity measures at raw milk receiving plants. Collectively, these studies provide insight into biosecurity compliance levels among milk haulers and raw milk receiving plants. While the second study identifies some barriers in implementing biosecurity guidelines, further research is necessary to comprehensively assess these challenges and develop targeted strategies for improving enhanced biosecurity abilities within raw milk transportation networks.