Investigating trans-boundary livestock trade and associated disease risk in the Greater Mekong Subregion

摘要

Our research identified that biosecurity practices could be greatly improved in both official (quarantine facilities) and unofficial (depots) livestock collecting points involved in cross-border movements of cattle and buffaloes. Interviews with traders in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam identified trading practices throughout the market chain that carry a high risk of spreading livestock disease (Hawkins et al. 2012; Kerr et al. 2012). We concluded that biosecurity education for traders and other, market chain participants would help to reduce trans-boundary disease spread in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Biosecurity educational materials were developed for livestock traders and village veterinary workers in Cambodia and Laos, and it is planned that biosecurity training materials for farmers and depot operators will be produced by the follow-on project 'Domestic and international market development for high-value cattle and beef in south-east Cambodia' (ACIAR project AH/2010/046).