Farmed Animals

Livestock Antibiotic Use Welfare

Antibiotic use in livestock affects both individual animal welfare and the broader public health challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

Key Facts

An estimated 73% of global antibiotics are used in livestock production
Prophylactic use to prevent disease in crowded conditions is the primary driver of livestock antibiotic overuse
Reducing crowding and improving husbandry reduces antibiotic need while improving welfare
Some highly effective antibiotics for human medicine are banned from veterinary use in some jurisdictions

Welfare Considerations

Antibiotic use in livestock reflects and reinforces poor welfare conditions. Animals in crowded, stressful environments are more susceptible to infectious disease and require more antibiotic treatment. Addressing the root cause — poor housing and overcrowding — reduces disease incidence, reduces antibiotic need and improves welfare simultaneously. Overuse of antibiotics also creates drug-resistant pathogens that threaten both animal and human health.

What You Can Do

Choose meat and dairy from operations with antibiotic stewardship programs
Advocate for restrictions on prophylactic antibiotic use in livestock
Support higher welfare systems that reduce disease pressure and antibiotic dependency
Engage with one-health approaches that connect animal welfare and antimicrobial resistance