From perception to practice: technical and social drivers and barriers to biosecurity implementation on French cattle...

Biosecurity is a cornerstone of infectious disease prevention in cattle farming, yet its implementation remains suboptimal. This study aimed to identify psychosocial and socio-technical factors significantly associated with the adoption of biosecurity measures among French cattle farmers. An online survey collected data on practices and perceptions from 412 respondents, and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to evaluate four key domains: inter-herd contact, animal introduction, visitor management, and the wildlife-livestock interface. The results identified risk perception as the most consistent driver across all themes; farmers acknowledging a real risk were significantly more likely to implement protective measures. A major catalyst for behavioural change was the biosecurity audit, which increased the likelihood of performing pre-purchase blood tests at the seller's farm. Furthermore, a spillover effect was observed, where multi-species farming (including swine or poultry) acted as a protective factor for visitor protocols and sourcing. Conversely, infrastructural constraints, such as unsuitable building layouts, were major barriers to quarantine. A strictly regulatory mindset also significantly hindered proactive prevention, particularly for wildlife-related measures. These findings demonstrate that biosecurity adoption depends more on individualised technical support and structural feasibility than on general awareness. Public policies should therefore prioritise participatory approaches, such as tailored audits, to effectively enhance on-farm biosecurity.