Farmer wellbeing and animal welfare: Exploring the connections using the case of facial eczema: Fid-Bau Portal

Farmer wellbeing and animal welfare: Exploring the connections using the case of facial eczema

Vallance, S. / Espig, M. / Taylor, A. / Brosnahan, C. / McFetridge, A.

Abstract While a relationship between animal welfare and farmer wellbeing is reasonably well documented, there is a lack of clarity about the various ways animal diseases affect this relationship and whether common disease (i.e. recurrent or seasonal) or novel outbreaks have different impacts. Facial eczema (FE) is an animal disease that affects ruminants and camelids and can lead to loss of productivity, illness and death of the animal. FE has elements of both common and novel outbreaks and, based on semi-structured interviews with 14 farmers and rural advisors, we have identified three ways FE affects farmers. The first is anticipatory anxiety often talked about by farmers in areas where FE is almost inevitable. Second, helplessness was experienced by farmers who experienced FE as a novel, unexpected outbreak and who lacked resources and skills to mitigate its effects. Third, farmers whose experience with FE was sporadic spoke of mis-managing a preventable disease, leading to guilt and self-doubt. We conclude that because animal welfare and farmer wellbeing are related, addressing both common and novel animal disease is an essential part of agricultural support. Support can also be improved by recognising recurrent and novel outbreaks may have different impacts, each of which may require distinctly different measures.

Highlights • Animal welfare can affect farmer wellbeing. • Facial eczema (FE) is an animal disease that can lead to loss of productivity, illness, and death of the animal. • Impacts varied but could incluce anticipatory anxiety, helplessness or guilt/self doubt • Recognising common and novel outbreaks have different impacts should inform support services.