Antibiotic use in livestock affects both animal welfare and antimicrobial resistance. Stewardship programs that align animal health with responsible antibiotic use improve welfare outcomes and protect human medicine.
Antibiotic stewardship in livestock requires distinguishing between the legitimate use of antibiotics to treat sick animals — a welfare necessity — and prophylactic use that treats animals as if they are already sick to prevent the disease consequences of poor welfare conditions. Reducing antibiotic use without improving underlying conditions causes animal suffering. Improving conditions to the point where antibiotics are only needed for genuine disease treatment serves welfare, stewardship, and public health simultaneously. The Netherlands model demonstrates that dramatic antibiotic reduction is achievable without welfare compromise when management improvements accompany restriction.