Antibiotic Use in Livestock and Antimicrobial Resistance

Routine antibiotic use in livestock farming has contributed to antimicrobial resistance — a global health crisis affecting both animal welfare and human medicine.

Key Facts

Approximately 73% of global antibiotic use occurs in food animals, not humans
Critically important antibiotics such as colistin were used as growth promoters until recently
Antimicrobial resistance causes an estimated 700,000 human deaths annually, projected to rise to 10 million by 2050
The EU banned antibiotic growth promoters in 2006; many countries still permit them
Alternatives including probiotics, organic acids, and vaccination can reduce antibiotic dependence

Welfare Considerations

The link between antibiotic use and animal welfare is two-directional. Animals in overcrowded, stressful conditions require antibiotics to survive — the drugs compensate for welfare deficiencies rather than treating illness. As resistance grows, previously treatable infections become untreatable, leaving animals to suffer from conditions that effective antibiotics once resolved quickly. Reducing antibiotic use requires improving the underlying welfare conditions that necessitate their preventive use.

What You Can Do

Choose meat and dairy from producers committed to responsible antibiotic use and verified reduction programs
Support bans on preventive antibiotic use in livestock farming
Advocate for antibiotic use reporting requirements in your country
Reduce meat consumption to decrease overall antibiotic pressure in food systems
Learn about the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance and your government's national plan