Responsible Medication Use and Livestock Welfare

The responsible use of veterinary medications, including appropriate withholding periods and record keeping, directly affects both animal welfare and food safety.

Key Facts

Antibiotic resistance is accelerated by inappropriate antibiotic use in livestock
Preventive antibiotic use to avoid welfare problems rather than treating them is now discouraged
Accurate records of treatments help identify welfare problems and prevent medication errors
Overuse of pain medications to mask lameness rather than treating its cause harms long-term welfare

Welfare Considerations

Responsible medication use in livestock requires accurate diagnosis, appropriate drug selection, correct dosing, and proper record keeping. Medication used to mask welfare problems rather than treat their underlying causes perpetuates suffering while creating food safety risks. The drive to reduce antibiotic use in livestock must be coupled with genuine welfare improvements that reduce the disease burden requiring treatment. Where pain management is provided, it should be paired with efforts to address the source of pain rather than enabling animals to continue in painful conditions.

What You Can Do

Support farmers who demonstrate responsible antibiotic stewardship and transparent veterinary records
Advocate for prescriber-only access to antibiotics in all livestock-producing countries
Choose certified products where antibiotic use is monitored and minimized
Encourage veterinary practices that emphasize disease prevention and welfare alongside pharmaceutical management