Livestock Antibiotic Stewardship and Welfare

Antibiotic use in livestock production has both animal welfare and public health dimensions, with stewardship programs aiming to reduce unnecessary use while maintaining welfare in sick animals.

Key Facts

Global livestock antibiotic use accounts for approximately 70% of total antibiotic consumption
Prophylactic antibiotic use to prevent disease in healthy animals drives resistance without welfare benefit
Metaphylactic use in sick animals within a group is more justifiable but still requires stewardship
Improved hygiene, vaccination, and husbandry reduce infection pressure and antibiotic need
Several countries have introduced restrictions on prophylactic antibiotic use in food animals

Welfare Considerations

Antibiotic stewardship in livestock serves both welfare and public health goals simultaneously. Sick animals that need antibiotics must receive them - withholding treatment causes welfare harm. But prophylactic use in healthy animals creates resistance that undermines future treatment options for both animals and humans. Investing in disease prevention through better husbandry, vaccination, and biosecurity reduces antibiotic need while improving the welfare conditions that prevent disease.

What You Can Do

Choose animal products from farms with documented antibiotic stewardship programs
Support policies restricting prophylactic antibiotic use in livestock production
Advocate for improved farming conditions that reduce disease pressure and antibiotic need
Learn about antimicrobial resistance and its relationship to livestock production practices