Livestock Biosecurity and Wildlife Interface Welfare

Managing the biosecurity interface between livestock and wildlife is critical for preventing disease spread that harms both farmed and wild animal populations - a genuine One Health welfare challenge.

Key Facts

Bovine tuberculosis spreads at the livestock-wildlife interface, affecting UK cattle and badgers
African swine fever is transmitted between wild boar and domestic pigs across Eurasia
Avian influenza can spread between wild migratory birds and commercial poultry flocks
Housing poultry during high-risk bird flu periods prevents transmission but reduces welfare through crowding
Wildlife exclusion fencing around livestock facilities is effective but expensive and ecologically complex
Early disease detection in both wildlife and livestock populations is essential for rapid response

Welfare Considerations

Biosecurity at the livestock-wildlife interface creates welfare challenges for both sides of the boundary. Disease spreading from wildlife to livestock causes illness, productivity loss and mass culling events in farmed populations. Conversely, diseases spreading from intensive livestock into wildlife populations can devastate wild species. The housing requirement for poultry during bird flu high-risk periods illustrates a direct welfare trade-off: outdoor access reduces flu transmission risk but housing reduces behavioural freedom. These welfare trade-offs require transparent decision-making that acknowledges costs to animal welfare even when biosecurity imperatives drive management choices.

What You Can Do

Support One Health research addressing livestock-wildlife disease interfaces
Learn about biosecurity measures that minimise welfare impact while preventing disease spread
Advocate for wildlife-inclusive approaches to disease management rather than blanket culling
Engage with the complex trade-offs involved in biosecurity decisions affecting animal welfare