The data presented here are in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted as part of the international comparative case study phase of the research. The research objectives were to gain insight into stakeholder perspectives on eradication efforts, assessing the relative merits of different policy interventions aimed at disease management and appraising the key factors affecting efforts to achieve TB eradication in Michigan and Minnesota, USA. The interviews were conducted with individuals identified as ‘experts’ and ‘key stakeholders’ involved in the development or implementation of bTB policies in Michigan and Minnesota. The interviews consisted of questions relating to the participant’s role in bTB control; overview of the factors influencing the relative success of bTB control (including identifying effective policies and interventions); identification of key stakeholders and their positive or negative contribution to disease management; modes of risk communication and the challenges and successes encountered in promoting ‘best practice’ in disease mitigation; and lessons learnt from their experience of managing bTB in Michigan and Minnesota respectively. This project focuses on the human factors that influence the management of disease in livestock, analysing how and why livestock farmers make their decisions, and how this affects disease control, farm productivity and competitiveness, acceptance of agricultural innovation, and adoption of new technologies. Working closely with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and research institutions in North America and mainland Europe, the project will: (1) Synthesise existing evidence on barriers and enablers affecting the implementation of Animal Health and Welfare (AHW) best practice. (2) Identify and examine successful examples of best practice co-production, communication and adoption (including state-sponsored advice, private advisory agencies and extension services) focusing on transferable lessons from other sectors, international case studies and specific examples from individual livestock sectors in the UK. (3) Undertake a programme of empirical work to 'follow' the chain of best practice from the issuer of guidance/regulation (public, private or third sector organisation), via key actors in the information supply chain, to individual on-farm practice. Bovine tuberculosis will be used as the focus for the research. (4) Communicate the findings to a wide range of stakeholders in government and the farming industry, informing policy and practical interventions to enhance AHW management.

The research approach was based upon in-depth interviews conducted at the end of 2014 with individuals identified as ‘experts’ and ‘key stakeholders’ involved in the development or implementation of bovine TB policies in Michigan and Minnesota, USA. Interviewees included agency professionals involved in TB management in cattle or wildlife (wildlife managers, programme coordinators, field veterinarians, and communications specialists); university academics and extension personnel; and producer and wildlife stakeholders involved in implementing management practices on the ground. Michigan: Interviews were conducted in the State Capitol of Lansing and in the area classified as a bovine TB 'Modified Accredited Zone' in the northeastern Lower Peninsula, concentrating on the counties of Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Oscoda. Minnesota: Interviews were conducted in the Minnesota State Capitol of Saint Paul and an area affected by a bovine TB outbreak in the late 2000s, Roseau County. The semi-structured interviews consisted of questions relating to the participant’s role in TB control; overview of the factors influencing the relative success of TB control (including identifying effective policies and interventions); identification of key stakeholders and their positive or negative contribution to disease management; modes of risk communication and the challenges and successes encountered in promoting ‘best practice’ in disease mitigation; and lessons learnt from their experience of managing bTB in Michigan and Minnesota, respectively. Interviews were digitally recorded (with the participants’ informed consent).