A HACCP-based approach to mastitis control in dairy herds. Part 2: Implementation and evaluation

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is now recognised as a systematic and preventive approach for identifying and controlling hazards in the food chain [1]. In recent years, its potential for application in the herd health context has also been identified [2]. One of the important indicators for milk quality is somatic cell count (SCC), which is mainly influenced by the incidence of clinical and subclinical mastitis. However, to date progress on preventing and controlling mastitis within dairy herds has proved difficult due to several issues including lack of knowledge transfer and proper risk-based assessment of control systems [3,4]. A HACCP-based approach may provide a useful tool for dairy farmers and their advisors.There is growing recognition of the importance of human attitudinal factors in mastitis control and prevention [4-6]. A number of studies have examined attitudinal factors underpinning behavioural change in farmers [6,7]. A growing body of evidence-based research is helping to clarify the diverse nature of farmer motivations, and the barriers to implementation of different practices [8,9]. Kleen and Rehage [10] stressed the importance of communication skills in veterinary practice and the need to emphasise this area in the undergraduate veterinary curriculum. Consequently, a generic approach to communication when working with farmers may prove ineffective by not addressing the range of motivations and attitudes underlying behavioural change. Similarly, any such investigative approach into so called human factors must allow for the broad spectrum of farmers' attitudes and perceptions to emerge, particularly when acknowledging that attitudes significantly influence behavioural intentions [11]. This may explain differences in mastitis prevalence more accurately than behaviour and self-reported behaviour [7]. Effective communication between farmer and veterinarian can help address farmer attitudes and related compliance [12], mirroring si