Animal Antibiotic Stewardship: Welfare and Resistance

Antibiotic use in livestock affects both animal welfare (when used therapeutically) and global public health (through resistance development), requiring careful stewardship approaches.

Key Facts

Approximately 70% of globally produced antibiotics are used in agriculture, primarily in livestock production
Prophylactic (preventive) antibiotic use in healthy livestock is now banned in the EU and UK
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens both animal and human welfare - resistant infections are harder to treat
UK livestock antibiotic use fell 55% between 2014 and 2022, demonstrating that significant reductions are achievable
Higher-welfare farming systems with lower stocking densities and better biosecurity generally use fewer antibiotics
Colistin (critically important for human medicine) is still used prophylactically in some countries
Alternatives to antibiotics including probiotics, phytogenics, and vaccines are being developed to replace routine use

Welfare Considerations

Antibiotic stewardship is both a welfare issue and a public health imperative. Responsible antibiotic use means treating sick animals promptly and effectively (welfare-positive) while avoiding prophylactic use that drives resistance. Higher-welfare systems that reduce disease incidence through good management, lower stress, and better nutrition reduce the need for antibiotics at all. The welfare and resistance agendas are largely aligned: improving animal conditions reduces disease, reduces antibiotic need, and protects treatment efficacy for future sick animals.

What You Can Do

Choose meat, poultry, and dairy from producers with low antibiotic use certification
Support policies restricting prophylactic antibiotic use in livestock globally
Ask retailers about their antibiotic stewardship policies for supplier farms
Reduce meat consumption to decrease overall demand for intensively raised animals
Donate to organisations working on antibiotic alternatives in livestock production