Antibiotic use in pig farming contributes to antimicrobial resistance that threatens both animal and human welfare. Stewardship programs reduce resistance while protecting animal welfare.
Antibiotic stewardship in pig farming addresses both present animal welfare — sick pigs need effective treatments — and future welfare of all animals and humans by preserving antibiotic efficacy. The Netherlands' dramatic success in reducing pig antibiotic use by 70% while maintaining pig health demonstrates that the two goals are not in tension: farms with better housing, biosecurity, and vaccination need fewer antibiotics and have healthier pigs. The welfare risk in poorly implemented stewardship is inadequate treatment of sick animals — which good stewardship programs prevent by reserving antibiotics for genuine therapeutic need.