Responsible antibiotic use in pig farming simultaneously improves animal welfare and reduces antimicrobial resistance development.
Antibiotic stewardship and pig welfare are aligned rather than conflicting objectives. Healthy pigs with good welfare require fewer antibiotics. When antibiotics are used, targeted treatment of clinically sick animals is both more effective and more welfare-appropriate than prophylactic mass medication. The dual benefit of welfare improvement and antibiotic reduction creates a compelling business and public health case for welfare investment.