Farm Animal Welfare

Pig AMR and Welfare Link

Antimicrobial resistance and pig welfare are closely linked - farms with better welfare need fewer antibiotics, creating a positive cycle.

Key Facts

Pig farms with higher welfare scores use significantly fewer antibiotics
Stress suppresses immune function, increasing disease susceptibility and antibiotic need
Enriched environments and appropriate stocking densities reduce infection transmission
European AMR action plans explicitly link farm welfare to antibiotic reduction targets
Welfare-based antibiotic reduction is more sustainable than antibiotic targets alone

Welfare Considerations

The welfare-AMR link creates a powerful dual argument for improving pig welfare. Better welfare means fewer sick pigs, fewer antibiotic treatments, less resistance development, and better public health outcomes - all while reducing animal suffering.

What You Can Do

Support regulatory approaches that link antibiotic reduction to welfare improvement
Advocate for welfare-based AMR reduction strategies rather than antibiotic targets alone
Choose welfare-certified pork products to support farms using fewer antibiotics