Farmed Animals

Antibiotic Reduction and Livestock Welfare

Reducing antibiotic use in livestock requires improving welfare conditions rather than simply withdrawing treatment, creating a welfare-AMR co-benefit when done correctly.

Key Facts

Farms that reduced antibiotics through improved welfare show lower disease rates not higher
Respiratory disease in pigs drops 60% with adequate ventilation improvements
Farms with high antibiotic use typically have higher disease and welfare problems not lower
UK antibiotic use fell 55% 2014-2022 without reducing welfare outcomes

Welfare Considerations

The common fear that reducing antibiotics will worsen animal welfare is largely unfounded when reduction is paired with welfare improvements. Antibiotics have been masking poor welfare conditions in some systems — withdrawal forces the underlying problems to be addressed. The farms that have reduced most successfully are typically those that have simultaneously improved housing, nutrition, and management.

What You Can Do

Support farms that have achieved antibiotic reduction through welfare improvement rather than withdrawal
Advocate for AMR reduction policies that require welfare improvement alongside antibiotic restriction
Choose products from farms with both low antibiotic use and strong welfare certification
Support research demonstrating the welfare-AMR co-benefit pathway