Non-English Speaking Background (NESB) Community and Pig Biosecurity

This project explored ways to achieve favourable biosecurity outcomes by focusing on changing the biosecurity behaviours of people in such a way that the risk of disease transmission was decreased.

The main focus was on using non-English speaking background (NESB) community champions to investigate and influence behaviours related to swill feeding within their communities (Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean) in the Greater Sydney area. Activities conducted during the project included:

· interviews with NESB farmers, food outlet businesses (who either traded in pork products or utilised meat products as part of everyday business) and consumers

· mapping of NESB communities, pig farming service providers (vets, feed suppliers and contractors) and relevant NESB food outlets

· a survey of NSW environmental health officers about retail sourcing and disposal of pork

· a survey of service providers about veterinary services and advice provided to pig owners in the Greater Sydney area

· the development and delivery of NESB communications around swill feeding and biosecurity behaviours.

More insight into the practices and beliefs of relevant businesses and consumers was gleaned through collaboration with community champions than would otherwise have been possible, and champions played a significant role in educating their communities about their role in Australia’s shared biosecurity responsibility.

Final project report is attached.