Farm Animals

Livestock Antibiotic Stewardship Welfare

Reducing antibiotic use in livestock requires welfare improvements that prevent the diseases antibiotics currently mask.

Key Facts

70% of global antibiotics are used in livestock production
Many antibiotics are used to compensate for poor welfare conditions
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria threaten both animal and human health
Higher welfare systems typically use fewer antibiotics

Welfare Considerations

Over-reliance on antibiotics in livestock reflects an industry in which animals are kept in conditions that routinely cause disease. Stewardship programs that simply reduce antibiotic use without improving welfare may increase animal suffering if sick animals go untreated.

What You Can Do

Support antibiotic reduction programs that pair with genuine welfare improvements
Choose products from farms with published antibiotic use policies
Advocate for transparency in veterinary antibiotic prescription data
Support development of welfare-based antibiotic reduction frameworks