A new study led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its research partners highlights that improving livestock productivity is crucial in reducing global antibiotic use. Without intervention, antibiotic use in livestock is projected to increase by nearly 30% by 2040. However, the study, published in Nature Communications, reveals that enhancing livestock systems could cut this projected increase by half.
Under a business-as-usual scenario, global antibiotic use in livestock could rise to 143,481 tons by 2040. However, with improved productivity, antibiotic use could drop to approximately 62,000 tons, a potential reduction of up to 57%. This highlights the need for better animal health, management, and efficiency to significantly curb reliance on antibiotics.
The study, titled The Future of Antibiotic Use in Livestock, was conducted by FAO experts in collaboration with Thomas Van Boeckel from the University of Zürich. Lead author Alejandro Acosta, a Livestock Economist at FAO, highlighted that producing more animal-sourced food with the same or fewer animals can reduce antibiotic use while strengthening global food security. This aligns with international efforts to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), a major global health concern.
A key aspect of the study is the introduction of the Livestock Biomass Conversion (LBC) method, which offers a more precise way to estimate antibiotic use across various livestock species and production systems.
The 2024 UN General Assembly AMR Declaration calls for a significant reduction in antimicrobial use in agrifood systems by 2030. However, achieving this goal presents challenges, particularly in regions where livestock production is expanding to meet rising food demand.
FAO’s Senior Animal Health Officer, Junxia Song, stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to enhance disease prevention, strengthen monitoring, and invest in innovations that promote animal health while reducing antibiotic dependence.
To support these efforts, FAO recently introduced the Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation (RENOFARM) initiative. This program aims to provide policy guidance, technical support, and capacity-building to help countries minimize antibiotic use while advancing sustainable livestock practices. Thanawat Tiensin, Assistant Director-General at FAO, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to transforming agrifood systems by promoting responsible antimicrobial use.
This advancement allows policymakers and industry leaders to develop more effective strategies to optimize livestock production while minimizing antibiotic dependence, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable global food system.
