Decision-making in Livestock Biosecurity Practices amidst Environmental and Social Uncertainty: Evidence from an Experimental Game

Scott C. Merrill, Christopher J. Koliba, Susan M. Moegenburg, Asim Zia, Jason Parker, Timothy Sellnow, Serge Wiltshire, Gabriela Bucini, Caitlin Danehy and Julia M. Smith
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Scott C. Merrill: Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont
Christopher J. Koliba: Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont
Susan M. Moegenburg: Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont
Asim Zia: Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont
Jason Parker: School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University at Mansfield
Timothy Sellnow: Nicholson School of Communication, University of Central Florida
Serge Wiltshire: Department of Food Systems. University of Vermont
Gabriela Bucini: Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont
Caitlin Danehy: Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Vermont
Julia M. Smith: Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Vermont

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Abstract: Livestock industries are vulnerable to disease threats, which can cost billions of dollars and have substantial negative social ramifications. Losses are mitigated through increased use of disease-related biosecurity practices, making increased biosecurity an industry goal. Currently, there is no industry-wide standard for sharing information about disease incidence or on-site biosecurity strategies, resulting in uncertainty regarding disease prevalence and biosecurity strategies employed by industry stakeholders. Using an experimental simulation game, we examined human participant's willingness to invest in biosecurity when confronted with disease outbreak scenarios. We varied the scenarios by changing the information provided about 1) disease incidence and 2) biosecurity strategy or response by production facilities to the threat of disease. Here we show that willingness to invest in biosecurity increases with increased information about disease incidence, but decreases with increased information about biosecurity practices used by nearby facilities. Thus, the type or context of the uncertainty confronting the decision maker may be a major factor influencing behavior. Our findings suggest that policies and practices that encourage greater sharing of disease incidence information should have the greatest benefit for protecting herd health.

Date: 2018-11, Revised 2019-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-env
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Published in PLoS ONE. April 17, 2019. 14(4): e0214500

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