Livestock

Antibiotic Resistance and Livestock Welfare

The relationship between antibiotic use in livestock and antimicrobial resistance is a global public health and animal welfare concern requiring integrated solutions.

Key Facts

Antibiotic resistance makes previously treatable infections difficult or impossible to cure
Livestock receive around 40-50% of global antibiotic consumption in some estimates
The UK has reduced veterinary antibiotic use by over 50% since 2014 through stewardship measures
Resistance in bacteria affecting both animals and humans is transmitted between farm environments and people
Restricting antibiotic use in livestock without improving management can compromise animal welfare

Welfare Considerations

The welfare implications of antibiotic resistance are twofold: effective antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial disease in animals, and resistant infections cause prolonged suffering. Stewardship approaches that reduce unnecessary use while maintaining access for treatment preserve both animal welfare and public health. The goal is eliminating prophylactic use through better management, not restricting treatment of genuinely sick animals.

What You Can Do

Support antibiotic stewardship programmes in livestock as a welfare and public health measure
Choose meat from farms with certified responsible antibiotic use
Advocate for elimination of prophylactic antibiotic use while protecting therapeutic access
Support research into vaccines and management reducing the need for antibiotic use
Engage with policy debates about antibiotic use in agriculture and its global health implications