Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Biosecurity and insecurity: the interaction between policy and ritual during the foot and mouth crisis

Nerlich, Brigitte; Wright, Nick

Authors

Brigitte Nerlich

Nick Wright



Abstract

In 2001 a highly infectious animal disease, foot and mouth disease, broke out in the UK and spread rapidly. In May, when the spread seemed to be slowing down, new disease hotspots appeared in previously little affected regions, such as North Yorkshire. New biosecurity rules were imposed. Based on a series of semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, this article shows that the biosecurity measures farmers implemented during the epidemic meant more than just reducing the risk of spreading FMD. For many, cleansing and disinfecting became Foot and Mouth. Biosecurity actions became invested with symbolic values and, in particular, were ritualised as part of the symbolic spatial construction of an otherwise 'invisible' enemy.

Citation

Nerlich, B., & Wright, N. (2006). Biosecurity and insecurity: the interaction between policy and ritual during the foot and mouth crisis. Environmental Values, 15(4), https://doi.org/10.3197/096327106779116168

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 2006
Deposit Date Jun 18, 2010
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Environmental Values
Print ISSN 0963-2719
Electronic ISSN 0963-2719
Publisher White Horse Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 15
Issue 4
DOI https://doi.org/10.3197/096327106779116168
Keywords Biosecurity, policy, risk, ritual, narrative, framing
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1019364
Publisher URL http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/whp/ev/2006/00000015/00000004/art00004

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations