Gauging meat processors’ and taxidermists’ chronic wasting disease information needs in Georgia, USA using importance-information analysis

Mitigating the impacts of chronic wasting disease (CWD) requires timely management intervention and ongoing cooperation between multiple stakeholders, especially meat processors and taxidermists, as these partners have the skill and access to provide CWD samples. While integral partners for the detection of CWD, little research has assessed their perspectives on disease management and communication. Thus, we distributed a mail-based survey to meat processors and taxidermists in Georgia, USA, to gauge what CWD information needs were important to meat processors and taxidermists and how informed they were in those areas. Results from 99 survey responses (17 meat processors and 82 taxidermists) indicated that information about CWD regulations and findings about surveillance strategies were areas where agencies should focus efforts. Managers can use our results to better engage in participatory communication with meat processors and taxidermists, as they are the first line of defense for finding CWD and limiting its spread.