Farm Animals

Antibiotic Resistance Animal Welfare

Routine antibiotic use in livestock farming drives antibiotic resistance that ultimately harms both human and animal health.

Key Facts

Approximately 70% of medically important antibiotics are used in food animal production
Subtherapeutic antibiotic use for growth promotion is still common outside the EU
Antibiotic resistance from farming reaches humans through food, environment, and direct contact
Reducing antibiotic use requires improved animal welfare and housing conditions

Welfare Considerations

The antibiotic resistance crisis driven by livestock farming ultimately harms animal welfare by reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics when animals genuinely need them. Improving housing, nutrition, and management reduces disease incidence and antibiotic need. Restricting prophylactic antibiotic use encourages welfare improvements that address the root causes of disease.

What You Can Do

Choose meat and dairy from antibiotic-free or reduced-antibiotic certified producers
Advocate for legislation restricting preventive antibiotic use in livestock
Support welfare standards that reduce disease incidence requiring antibiotic treatment
Reduce animal product consumption to decrease demand driving antibiotic overuse