Responsible antibiotic use in livestock protects both individual animal welfare through effective treatment and global public health through preserving antibiotic efficacy.
Antibiotic stewardship sits at the intersection of animal welfare and public health. Antibiotics are essential welfare tools — without them, bacterial infections that cause significant suffering cannot be treated effectively. But overuse erodes their effectiveness for both animals and humans. Responsible use means treating sick animals promptly with appropriate antibiotics under veterinary guidance, while avoiding routine preventive use in healthy animals. Welfare-positive farming systems that reduce disease pressure through good husbandry, vaccination, and biosecurity reduce the need for antibiotics while improving overall animal welfare.