Agricultural antibiotic use is a leading driver of antimicrobial resistance globally. Understanding this connection creates opportunities for welfare advocacy that resonates with public health audiences.
The connection between antibiotic overuse in animal agriculture and antimicrobial resistance demonstrates that animal welfare improvement and human health protection are frequently aligned. Crowded, stressed animals get sick more often and require more antibiotic treatment. Higher welfare systems with lower stocking densities, better nutrition, and reduced stress have lower disease rates and use fewer antibiotics. Advocating for higher welfare standards in animal agriculture is simultaneously advocating for better antibiotic stewardship. This convergence allows welfare advocates to build alliances with public health advocates and reach audiences whose primary concern is human rather than animal welfare.