Farm Animals

Antibiotic Use in Livestock and Resistance

Routine antibiotic use in farm animals accelerates resistance that threatens both human and animal health.

Key Facts

Over 70% of medically important antibiotics are sold for animal agriculture
Resistance genes transfer between animal and human pathogens
The WHO lists antibiotic resistance as one of the greatest global health threats
Many countries have banned preventive antibiotic use in healthy animals

Welfare Considerations

Animals kept in stressful, overcrowded conditions require antibiotics to prevent outbreaks. This creates a cycle: poor welfare conditions necessitate antibiotic use, which fuels resistance, which ultimately harms both animals and humans. Improving farm animal welfare by reducing stocking densities and improving living conditions would reduce antibiotic dependency while simultaneously improving animal wellbeing.

What You Can Do

Choose meat and dairy products raised without routine antibiotics
Advocate for higher farm animal welfare standards
Support policy requiring antibiotic use only for sick animals
Reduce meat consumption to lower overall antibiotic demand