Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Antibiotic Stewardship

Antibiotic stewardship in pig farming reduces AMR risk while incentivising welfare improvements that reduce the need for treatment.

Key Facts

Pigs account for approximately 50% of all veterinary antibiotic use globally
Better welfare reduces disease incidence and therefore antibiotic need
EU regulations restrict prophylactic group treatment of pigs with antibiotics
Farms with higher welfare scores consistently use fewer antibiotics
Targeted protocols for treatment-based use preserve antibiotic efficacy

Welfare Considerations

Antibiotic stewardship and pig welfare are mutually reinforcing - reducing unnecessary antibiotic use requires the welfare improvements that reduce disease. This welfare-stewardship link creates a powerful dual argument for welfare investment.

What You Can Do

Support antibiotic stewardship certification that links to welfare improvement
Choose pork from farms with low antibiotic use and published treatment records
Advocate for antibiotic reduction targets tied to welfare standard requirements