By Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press Association
Pessimism and scepticism is hampering farmers from implementing recommended measures to prevent the spread of bovine TB, a study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) suggests.
The study’s lead author suggested that demonstrations of biosecurity measures may be more effective than reissuing biosecurity guidance.
The think-tank’s behavioural research unit held 60 in-depth interviews with farmers and carried out a survey experiment with 824 farmers.
The ESRI said they found a sense of pessimism and lack of control around bTB, alongside scepticism about some prevention measures.
Many farmers feel they cannot meaningfully reduce risk because of wildlife transmission and testing delays, and this sense of…