Livestock

Antibiotic Stewardship in Cattle: Welfare and Resistance

How responsible antibiotic use protects both cattle welfare and human health through resistance prevention.

Key Facts

Antibiotic resistance is a global welfare threat — affecting both human and animal medicine
The UK has substantially reduced agricultural antibiotic use since 2014
Highest priority critically important antibiotics should be reserved for treatment only
Vaccination and biosecurity reduce the need for antibiotic treatment — better welfare outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Antibiotic stewardship protects long-term welfare by preserving antibiotic efficacy — without effective antibiotics, many treatable welfare emergencies become untreatable. Welfare-focused antibiotic use treats genuine disease promptly with appropriate antibiotics, avoids metaphylaxis where alternatives work, and invests in prevention through vaccination and biosecurity. Responsible antibiotic use is both a welfare obligation and a public health responsibility.

What You Can Do

Work with your vet to develop an antibiotic stewardship plan for your herd
Report antibiotic use accurately through RUMA or equivalent national recording schemes
Invest in disease prevention to reduce antibiotic requirements without compromising animal welfare