Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Antibiotic Reduction Welfare Outcomes

Antibiotic reduction in pig farming has been achieved at scale while maintaining or improving welfare outcomes in well-managed herds.

Key Facts

UK pig antibiotic use reduced by 74% between 2013 and 2020
Welfare-improving management changes are responsible for much of the reduction
Targeted metaphylaxis replacement with vaccine and management has reduced prophylactic use
Some farms have achieved antibiotic-free or minimal use status while maintaining welfare
Welfare and antibiotic stewardship improvements are complementary rather than competing goals

Welfare Considerations

The successful reduction in pig antibiotic use demonstrates that welfare improvement and antibiotic stewardship are complementary goals. Farms achieving large reductions have done so through management improvements that simultaneously improve animal welfare and reduce antibiotic dependency.

What You Can Do

Support pig welfare programmes that integrate antibiotic stewardship and welfare improvement
Advocate for continued progress on antibiotic reduction through management rather than denial of treatment
Choose pork from farms demonstrating both reduced antibiotic use and positive welfare outcomes