Farm Animals

Cattle Antibiotic Stewardship and Welfare

Reducing antibiotic use in cattle farming requires welfare improvements that prevent disease rather than relying on treatment as a first resort.

Key Facts

UK cattle antibiotic use has fallen significantly following sector-wide commitments
Responsible use means using antibiotics only when necessary and with the right drug
Preventive antibiotic use (metaphylaxis) for high-risk groups is controversial
Vaccination programmes reduce disease incidence and antibiotic need simultaneously
Record-keeping of antibiotic use is now mandatory in many countries

Welfare Considerations

Antibiotic stewardship and animal welfare are complementary rather than conflicting goals. Healthy, well-managed cattle need less antibiotic treatment. Investing in housing, nutrition, biosecurity, and vaccination to prevent disease is both good welfare and good antimicrobial stewardship.

What You Can Do

Choose beef and dairy products from farms committed to antibiotic stewardship
Support organisations promoting responsible antibiotic use in farming
Advocate for mandatory antibiotic use reporting with public transparency