Antibiotic Use in Livestock and Welfare

The relationship between antibiotic use in livestock and animal welfare is complex, with overuse preventing disease-driven suffering but contributing to resistance that threatens both animal and human health.

Key Facts

Approximately 73% of global antibiotic consumption occurs in animal agriculture
Prophylactic metaphylactic use to prevent disease in crowded conditions is a major welfare and resistance concern
Reducing antibiotic use through improved management has been demonstrated without welfare compromise in Denmark
The OIE lists certain antibiotics as critically important and recommends restrictions for veterinary use
Countries with low livestock antibiotic use have not shown worse animal welfare outcomes than high-use countries

Welfare Considerations

Antibiotic use in livestock sits at the intersection of animal welfare and public health. From a welfare perspective, antibiotics when used appropriately to treat sick animals prevent and relieve suffering. When used prophylactically to compensate for poor housing and management conditions, they mask welfare problems rather than addressing their causes. The transition to reduced antibiotic use requires genuine welfare improvements in housing density, biosecurity, and management that eliminate the conditions making prophylactic treatment necessary.

What You Can Do

Support pork, poultry, and beef products from producers with antibiotic stewardship programs
Advocate for restrictions on prophylactic antibiotic use in animal agriculture
Support transparency requirements for antibiotic use data in food production
Donate to research into management practices that reduce disease without antibiotics
Engage with food companies about their antibiotic use policies in their supply chains