Antibiotic resistance: Should animal advocates intervene?

Abstract

Reducing antibiotic use in farms is likely net positive for human health, but its effect on animal welfare is less clear. This article explores whether reducing or eliminating antibiotic use in animal agriculture would be net positive for animals. While animals may experience increased disease burden without antibiotics, farmers are incentivized to mitigate disease due to potential profit loss, animal welfare regulations, and public health concerns. The article discusses two potential mitigation strategies: welfare adaptations (e.g., reducing stocking density, improving hygiene) and antibiotic substitutes (e.g., probiotics, prebiotics). The article argues that welfare adaptations would benefit animals, while the impact of antibiotic substitutes depends on their efficacy compared to traditional antibiotics. The article also examines the economic implications of reduced antibiotic use, suggesting that while meat prices may rise in the short term, the long-term impact is uncertain. It concludes that an intervention aimed at reducing antibiotic use in animal agriculture could be net positive for animals, but more research is needed. – AI-generated abstract.