Pig Welfare and Antibiotic Stewardship: A Dual Priority

Overview of the relationship between pig welfare improvement and antibiotic reduction goals.

Key Facts

Antibiotic use in pig farming is closely linked to disease burden and welfare status
Improving pig welfare through enrichment and housing reduces antibiotic dependency
Higher-welfare systems generally use fewer antibiotics due to reduced stress and disease
UK pig antibiotic use declined significantly following industry stewardship programmes
Welfare and antibiotic stewardship goals are largely aligned in commercial pig production

Welfare Considerations

Pig welfare and antibiotic stewardship goals are mutually reinforcing. Improving welfare through better housing, enrichment, reduced stocking density, and pain management reduces disease burden and stress that drive antibiotic use. This alignment creates a compelling dual argument for welfare investment, connecting animal welfare to public health concerns about antibiotic resistance. Industry stewardship programmes that link welfare and antibiotic targets show real progress.

What You Can Do

Support pork certification schemes that require antibiotic reduction alongside welfare standards
Advocate for welfare-based antibiotic stewardship approaches in pig farming
Choose pork from producers demonstrating both higher welfare and responsible antibiotic use