Key insights into biosecurity risks, communication preferences and behaviour change drivers among livestock transporters in Australia

The transportation of livestock poses an increased risk of disease transmission, with transportation vehicles acting as vectors for disease. Biosecurity management within the livestock industry is therefore critical to reduce the risk of disease transmission. This study investigated the current biosecurity practices of stakeholders within the livestock transport industry in Australia using a cross-sectional study. It examined how communications technology is utilised in this sector, exploring the drivers and barriers influencing the adoption of communications technology for managing biosecurity risks. The COM-B model of behaviour change informed the development of the cross-sectional study. Data obtained through a questionnaire (n = 17) and semistructured interviews (n = 10) identified a moderate understanding of biosecurity and engagement with best practice biosecurity. The key biosecurity risks identified were in relation to truck washing, effluent management, distances travelled, load mixing and access to relevant biosecurity information. Some practices that contributed to the biosecurity risk were influenced by external factors, such as access to truck washing facilities. Results suggest that while there is general satisfaction with how communication is managed, a mobile application (app) to communicate biosecurity messages could support biosecurity information exchange given the widespread use of text messaging, along with the high level of use of apps for both personal and business purposes. However, for urgent messages a phone call was preferred. The most trusted sources of animal health information included government agencies and the national industry organisations. The COM-B model identified that there was a reasonable perception of physical and psychological capability around biosecurity, and most respondents identified that there was room for improvement with biosecurity uptake which could be used as a motivation for change.