Antibiotic Stewardship in Animal Agriculture

The overuse of antibiotics in livestock production is a significant driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), threatening both human and animal health. Responsible antibiotic stewardship is also intrinsically important for farm animal welfare.

Key Facts

Globally, approximately 73% of antimicrobials sold are used in livestock, though this proportion varies significantly between countries
Routine prophylactic antibiotic use — treating animals to prevent disease in the absence of infection — has been banned in the EU since 2022
AMR causes an estimated 700,000 human deaths annually and threatens to become the leading cause of mortality globally without intervention
Animals raised in high-stress, crowded conditions require more antibiotic intervention — improving welfare reduces antibiotic dependency
Denmark reduced livestock antibiotic use by 50% between 1994 and 2016 without significant productivity losses by investing in improved herd health management

Welfare Considerations

Antibiotic stewardship intersects with animal welfare in two important ways. First, excessive antibiotic use is often a symptom of poor welfare conditions — overcrowded, stressed, immunocompromised animals get sick more often and require more treatment. Addressing root welfare causes reduces antibiotic dependency while simultaneously improving animal lives. Second, AMR development threatens the future effectiveness of antibiotics that are essential for treating painful conditions in farm animals and companion animals. Restricting antibiotics without improving underlying welfare conditions results in animals suffering from treatable infections. Effective stewardship requires investment in disease prevention through improved housing, reduced stocking density, enhanced biosecurity, and targeted vaccination programmes.

What You Can Do

Choose meat and animal products from producers with low antibiotic use commitments and transparent reporting
Support retailers and food companies with antibiotic stewardship policies that go beyond legal minimums
Advocate for global alignment on antibiotic use restrictions to prevent low-standard imports undermining domestic progress
Support research into antibiotic alternatives including vaccines, bacteriophages, and improved early disease detection
Reduce meat consumption — lower demand means fewer animals in intensive systems where antibiotic overuse is most prevalent