Farm Animals

Livestock Welfare and Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance threatens both human and animal welfare by reducing treatment options for infectious diseases. Responsible livestock antibiotic use is an animal welfare and public health priority.

Key Facts

Resistant bacteria from livestock can transfer to humans through direct contact, food, and environmental routes
Animals with infections that have developed antibiotic resistance experience prolonged suffering from treatable conditions
Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use requires improving the housing, nutrition, and biosecurity conditions that drive disease
Welfare improvements that reduce disease pressure simultaneously reduce antibiotic dependence

Welfare Considerations

Antimicrobial resistance is both a consequence of poor animal welfare systems and a cause of future welfare problems for both animals and humans. Animals kept in conditions that require prophylactic antibiotics to remain healthy are in welfare-compromised systems. Improving those conditions reduces disease, reduces antibiotic use, and preserves antibiotic efficacy for genuine treatment needs. Welfare and resistance prevention are aligned, not competing, goals.

What You Can Do

Support farms committed to reducing antibiotic use through welfare improvements rather than simply restricting treatment
Advocate for housing and management improvements that reduce disease pressure and antibiotic dependence
Choose animal products from producers demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship alongside welfare standards
Learn about the welfare-antimicrobial resistance connection to be a more effective integrated advocate