Antibiotic Resistance and Farm Animal Welfare

Intensive use of antibiotics in livestock farming drives antibiotic resistance that threatens both human and animal health. Welfare improvements that reduce disease need can reduce antibiotic use significantly.

Key Facts

Agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of global antibiotic consumption
Subtherapeutic antibiotic use as growth promotion is banned in many countries but persists globally
Antibiotic-resistant infections kill an estimated 700,000 people per year and rising
Improving animal welfare through better housing, reduced crowding, and less stress reduces infection rates
Countries that banned agricultural antibiotic growth promoters have seen resistance rates fall

Welfare Considerations

The link between farm animal welfare and antibiotic resistance is direct: animals in poor welfare conditions are more susceptible to infectious disease, driving higher antibiotic use. Improving welfare through better housing, adequate space, reduced stress, and good nutrition reduces disease incidence and therefore antibiotic dependence. Welfare improvement is thus a key tool in addressing the antibiotic resistance crisis — demonstrating that animal and human health interests align.

What You Can Do

Support farms and retailers committed to antibiotic stewardship and reduced prophylactic use
Advocate for national policies banning growth-promoting antibiotic use
Choose higher-welfare animal products that tend to require less antibiotic use
Support investment in alternatives to antibiotics including vaccines and probiotics
Learn about the connection between farm animal welfare and public health outcomes