Livestock

Livestock Antibiotic Resistance and Animal Welfare

Antibiotic resistance threatens both human health and the welfare of sick animals unable to be treated.

Key Facts

80% of antibiotics sold in some countries are for livestock
Resistant bacteria spread from animals to humans through food, environment, and direct contact
When antibiotics fail, sick animals cannot be treated effectively, causing prolonged suffering
The WHO identifies antibiotic resistance as one of the greatest global health threats

Welfare Considerations

Antibiotic resistance is both a welfare and public health crisis. Animals infected with resistant bacteria that cannot be treated effectively suffer prolonged illness and death. Welfare improvements that reduce disease incidence through better housing, nutrition, and management simultaneously reduce antibiotic requirements and slow resistance development. The link between good welfare and good antibiotic stewardship makes welfare improvement a public health priority.

What You Can Do

Choose products from farms with low antibiotic use commitments
Support mandatory antibiotic use data collection and publication for farms
Advocate for a ban on growth promoter antibiotic use in farming
Back One Health approaches linking human, animal, and environmental health