Private and Public Economic Incentives for the Control of Animal Diseases: The Case of Anthrax in Livestock

Abstract

This study examined the roles of the public and private sectors as economic components of anthrax control with direct reference to the 2005 anthrax outbreak in livestock in North Dakota. Anthrax is an endemic disease in North Dakota, which often causes disease outbreaks in livestock, leading to economic losses to the livestock industry. The economic incentives and interests behind public and private control of an anthrax outbreak are investigated. Anthrax management is most effective with the participation of public and private firms. As anthrax is an infectious disease, its control also brings positive economic externalities, which are not accounted for in a producer's decision to protect animals. Therefore, public programs designed to control the disease must be implemented. The government can change producer response to anthrax by setting up policies and incentives that encourage their participation. However, these interventions must encourage compliance and not discourage producers from actively taking part in anthrax management. Producers have economy-based interests and personal reasons for controlling anthrax in their farms. The main reason behind government intervention is to provide assurance to the public who consume livestock products. Another reason is to assist producers and veterinarians, and to achieve biosecurity and biosafety objectives. The contribution of each animal healthcare partner in making anthrax management a success in North Dakota is discussed.

Cattle producers’ perceptions of biosecurity

“…Risk aversion does not always follow on from perceived risk; farmers can perceive something as risky but can carry out the practice anyway, and vice versa [41,48-50]. In the current study, this was reflected in the finding that certain practices were perceived as useful (e.g.…”

“…Although this was somewhat expected, it appears the reasons behind these opinions are more varied than just farm economics and may involve other factors such as general attitudinal motivations. In order to successfully encourage the uptake of preventive practices, these motivations must be further understood [41]. …”

Effect of animal sera on Bacillus anthracis Sterne spore germination and vegetative cell growth

“…In support of this hypothesis, a recent naturally occurring outbreak of anthrax in Canada showed several species were exposed during the event but most of the losses occurred in cattle (Epp et al. 2006) and an anthrax endemic in North Dakota appeared to target livestock (Ndiva Mongoh et al. 2008).…”

Maximization of Livestock Anthrax Vaccination Coverage in Bangladesh: An Alternative Approach

“…Anthrax is also considered an occupational disease affecting people who raise livestock, veterinarians, people who work in leather industries, and those involved in animal slaughter, processing, and the selling of meat and animal products. Humans become infected when the spores contaminate a cut or scrape of skin, eat contaminated food, or inhale spores [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. In humans, there are three forms of infection, namely cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalation.…”