Abstract
The ability to trace the movement of animals and their related products is key to success in animal disease control. To ensure that a traceability system is optimized, livestock farmers and traders must have good appreciation and understanding about animal tracing. The present study examined the traceability of cattle in Malaysia vis-à-vis the domains of knowledge, attitude, and practice among cattle farmers and traders. A total of 543 farmers and traders in Peninsular Malaysia were interviewed. The results revealed that over 60% of the respondents had satisfactory knowledge and attitude about cattle movement and traceability. A lower proportion of the respondents (49%) were involved in appropriate practice that facilitated traceability of cattle. We found that the type of husbandry system and stakeholders’ participation in livestock management–specific short courses were positively associated with satisfactory knowledge, attitude, and practice. A structured education and training program should be formulated to improve these domains so that the benefit of traceability becomes clear, paving the way to a successful traceability program.
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The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available upon request to the corresponding author.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Director General of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Malaysia, DVS officers, Public Service Department Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia lecturers and staff, and farmers and traders involved in this study. Special thanks go to Prof. Dr. Hussni Omar Mohammed from Cornell University, USA for his guidance and support in the study.
Funding
This project was funded by the Developmental Fund at the Department of Veterinary Services, Putrajaya.
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All participants were informed (1) of the purpose of the study, (2) that information provided will be confidential, and (3) that participation was voluntary. Informed consent was obtained from all participants and documented in the questionnaire. The study is part of the ongoing program of the Department of Veterinary Services to improve awareness of livestock traders and farmers on the national traceability system and to strengthen traceability of live animals in Malaysia.
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Salina, A.B., Hassan, L., Saharee, A.A. et al. Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice on livestock traceability among cattle farmers and cattle traders in peninsular Malaysia and its impact on disease control. Trop Anim Health Prod 53, 15 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02458-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02458-5