Bovine Tb Eradication Project – Recognizing Hot Button Issues

The Michigan Departments of Agriculture, Community Health, and Natural Resources, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Michigan State University work cooperatively together as the bovine TB eradication project partners. The interagency group combines expertise in epidemiology, veterinary and human medicine, pathology, wildlife biology, animal husbandry, regulatory law and policy and risk communications. The stakeholders, those impacted by the disease, include agriculture and tourism industry representatives, “Mom-and-Pop” businesses, hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, farmers, Local Health Departments and legislators. The regulatory agencies are the above mentioned project partners, excluding MSU and USDA Wildlife Services, both of which offer services to agencies and stakeholders. Eradicating bovine TB would not be difficult if there were no social issues surrounding it. The economy, hunting traditions, animal management, tourism and human health are all impacted by regulatory response to the disease. Often the social issues play a large role in decision making, therefore it is important to understand your clientele and anticipate public reaction to policy changes and requirements.

Risk Management Challenges and Opportunities in 2010

In 2009, agriculture was impacted by significant volatility in commodity and input prices and major world economic events. The world economy continued to flounder, resulting in reduced demand for agricultural commodities, particularly livestock products. The H1N1 outbreak further exacerbated the situation as consumers around the world reduced their consumption of pork. In the last quarter of 2009, unemployment in the United States reached ten percent and continues to rise each month, albeit at a slower rate. In recent reports economic analysts contend the reported figures underestimate the actual unemployment, and that we will continue to face ten percent or more unemployment through 2010.