This project investigates how animal disease is regulated by veterinarians in England and Wales. The research focuses on bovine tuberculosis (TB) and the process by which infected cattle are detected. Vets in private practices conduct thousands of tests each year on behalf of the government to help manage the disease. TB tests should be conducted according to a strict protocol, but government vets are concerned about the lack of standardization. The research therefore investigated how vets conduct TB tests and why testing practices deviate from the protocol. Drawing on approaches from the sociology of health and environmental regulation, this project will investigate (1)the importance of acting as regulators to veterinary practices, (2) the social interactions between vets and farmers during regulation (3)the difficulties vets encounter when delivering regulation in challenging environments (4)the contribution regulation makes to job satisfaction and the coping strategies they adopt and (5) the wider animal health benefits that arise from regulation. The research examines the role of Local Veterinary Inspectors in testing cattle for bovine tuberculosis- a major animal disease affecting cattle in England and Wales. The project will use an in-depth ethnographic approach of veterinary practices located in England and Wales, state vets working in Animal Health, and interviews with policy makers. Veterinarians are key actors in the regulation of animal health. Recent animal health crises have heightened awareness of the need for effective regulatory practices and techniques to control the spread of animal diseases. Policy makers have been keen to harness the power of local vets in the regulation of animal health. Vets are seen as trusted and effective advisers by policy makers and the agricultural industry alike.

Data collection consists of 10 transcripts resulted from face-to-face interviews and ethnographic observation, as part of a cross-sectional (one time) study. Research was conducted in 3 different veterinary practices (2 private practices and 1 government regional office) over 6 months by observing and participating at TB tests and other veterinary tasks. Senior vets in government, academia and professional bodies were interviewed.