LIVESTOCK ANTIBIOTIC: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NEWS: Antibiotic usage in livestock to rise by 30% by 2040 — interventions needed: FAO
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
A recent FAO study warns that global antibiotic use in livestock could rise by nearly 30% by 2040, worsening antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which already causes over 1.2 million deaths annually. This calls for urgent action through stricter regulations, sustainable farming practices, and a One Health approach.
Global Surge in Livestock Antibiotic Use
• A recent FAO study (2024) warns that global antibiotic use in livestock is projected to increase by nearly 30% by 2040, from 110,777 tons (2019) to 143,481 tons.
• This trend threatens to accelerate the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis, which the WHO has termed a ‘silent pandemic’.
• The findings underscore the urgent need for coordinated international action, especially in regions with intensive farming systems and lax regulations.
Why Are Antibiotics Used in Livestock?
a) Therapeutic Use
• Antibiotics are given to treat bacterial infections in animals, especially in commercial farms where disease spread is faster due to high animal density.
• This helps maintain animal health, ensure welfare, and protect livestock-based income for farmers.
b) Preventive (Prophylactic) Use
• In high-density or stressful conditions (e.g., poultry farms), antibiotics are used preemptively in healthy animals to prevent disease outbreaks.
• This is especially common in intensive livestock systems, where biosecurity and sanitation standards may be poor.
c) Growth Promotion
• In some countries, low doses of antibiotics are routinely added to feed or water to enhance growth rates and improve feed conversion.
• Though increasingly discouraged due to health risks, this practice continues in regions with weak regulations.
Key Regions Driving the Surge
• The FAO report shows that Asia and the Pacific account for 64.6% of projected antibiotic use, driven by:
• Rapid urbanization and dietary shifts toward meat.
• Growth in poultry, pig, and aquaculture industries.
• Other regional shares:
• South America: 19%
• Africa: 5.7%
• North America: 5.5%
• Europe: 5.2%
Consequences of Excessive Antibiotic Use in Animal Agriculture
a) Rise in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
• Overuse promotes selection of drug-resistant bacteria, which can transfer to humans via:
• Contaminated food, water, or soil.
• Direct animal contact or through the environment.
• Drug-resistant bacteria can render antibiotics ineffective, making common infections difficult or impossible to treat.
b) Public Health Impact
• WHO estimates that over 1.2 million deaths annually are linked to drug-resistant infections.
• AMR leads to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and increased mortality rates.
c) Food Security and Economic Risks
• AMR threatens global food security, as livestock diseases may become harder to treat.
• It could damage the agriculture economy, especially in developing countries reliant on livestock exports.
Drivers Behind Rising Antibiotic Use
a) Intensive Industrial Farming
• High-density animal farming relies on antibiotics to compensate for stress, overcrowding, and poor hygiene.
• These systems prioritize productivity and cost-efficiency over animal welfare.
b) Regulatory Gaps
• Many countries lack clear, enforceable guidelines on antibiotic usage in animal agriculture.
• Even where policies exist, enforcement is weak, and antibiotics are often easily available over-the-counter.
c) Economic Incentives for Growth Promotion
• Farmers and feed companies often use antibiotics as a cost-effective way to boost production.
• This short-term economic benefit comes at the cost of long-term public health.
d) Global Trade and Spread of Resistance
• Resistant bacteria and AMR genes (e.g., on plasmids or transposons) can spread through international trade in:
• Meat and dairy products.
• Live animals and animal feed.
• Waste from livestock operations.
Global Commitments and Policy Interventions
a) UN General Assembly Declaration on AMR (2024)
• Countries pledged to cut antimicrobial use in agrifood systems by 30–50% by 2030.
• Recognizes AMR as a multidimensional threat to:
• Public health
• Food systems
• Economic development
• Global stability
b) RENOFARM Initiative (FAO-led)
• Provides technical and policy support to governments to reduce antibiotic usage.
• Focuses on building surveillance systems, encouraging vaccination and good animal husbandry practices.
c) One Health Approach
• Promoted by FAO, WHO, and WOAH, this approach integrates:
• Human health (antibiotic stewardship).
• Animal health (responsible use of antimicrobials).
• Environmental health (managing residues and waste).
• It’s based on the idea that health is interconnected across species and ecosystems.
India’s Measures to Tackle Antibiotic Use in Livestock
a) National Action Plan on AMR (2017–2021; Extended)
• India’s national framework to reduce AMR across human, animal, and environmental sectors.
• Emphasizes:
• Rational antibiotic use.
• Research and surveillance.
• Regulatory strengthening.
b) Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG)
• Issued by the Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry.
• Aims to:
• Standardize veterinary practices.
• Regulate antibiotic use in poultry, cattle, and aquaculture.
• Promote Ayurvedic and ethnoveterinary alternatives for disease prevention and treatment.
Sustainable Alternatives to Antibiotic Dependence
a) Improved Livestock Management
• Enhanced animal housing, sanitation, and ventilation reduce infection rates.
• Hygienic feeding systems and clean water supply are essential.
b) Vaccination and Biosecurity
• Routine vaccination programs prevent diseases that require antibiotics.
• Biosecurity protocols reduce contact with pathogens from outside the farm.
c) Better Animal Nutrition
• Balanced diets with micronutrients strengthen animal immune systems.
• Reduces need for prophylactic antibiotic usage.
d) Genetic and Breeding Strategies
• Selectively breeding disease-resistant animal varieties can help reduce dependence on medications.
Conclusion
• The projected rise in antibiotic use in livestock is a public health red flag that needs immediate global and national attention.
• With AMR already killing over a million people per year, unchecked usage in agriculture could escalate the crisis.
• Policy enforcement, awareness, and investment in alternative practices must go hand-in-hand to ensure animal productivity without compromising human health.
Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/antibiotic-usage-in-livestock-use-to-rise-by-30-by-2040-interventions-needed-fao