Livestock Biosecurity Wildlife Interface Welfare

Biosecurity at the interface between livestock and wildlife reduces disease transmission in both directions, protecting welfare of farmed and wild animals.

Key Facts

Bovine TB transmission between badgers and cattle remains the most studied UK wildlife-livestock interface
Avian influenza transmission between wild birds and poultry is increasingly important as outbreaks increase
Biosecurity measures including housing poultry during migration peaks have significant welfare cost
Good farm biosecurity including secure feed storage reduces wildlife attraction and disease risk
Interface disease is a One Health issue requiring coordination between farming and wildlife interests

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife-livestock interface disease management has welfare implications for both farmed and wild animals; biosecurity investment protects all affected populations.

What You Can Do

Follow government biosecurity guidance during high-risk disease periods
Support research into non-lethal wildlife disease management at the livestock interface
Advocate for coordinated One Health approaches to interface disease management