The overuse of antibiotics in farming is undermining modern medicine’s ability to cure life-threatening infections. Globally, the incidence of dangerous, pathogenic bacteria that are resistant to the effects of antibiotics are increasing.

Why we must take action

More than 39 million people could die from untreatable antibiotic-resistant infections by 2050 if we fail to take decisive action now.

Forecasts, based on historical trends and the current trajectory of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), estimate that more than a million people will die annually from 2025 to 2050 from an antibiotic-resistant infection, with an estimated 1.91 million dying in 2050. That represents an increase of almost 70% per year compared with 2021.

Commonplace medical procedures such as hip replacements, cancer chemotherapy, organ transplants and the treatment of pre-term babies, would be far less safe without effective antibiotics.

Worldwide, it is estimated that around 73% of all antibiotics are used in farmed animals, not people. Much of this use is routine and in low doses, enabling livestock to be kept in unhygienic, overcrowded and stressful conditions in factory farms. These conditions allow resistant bacteria to flourish, and once products from these animals enter the food chain, it contributes to human antibiotic resistance.

The findings of a study predicting global livestock antibiotic use, indicates that under the current rates of antibiotic usage, global antibiotic use could reach 143,481 tons by 2040. This is a 29.5% increase from the 2019 baseline of 110,777 tons.

In Asia, the Far East and Oceania, farm antibiotic sales per livestock unit are nearly four times higher than in Europe.

The alliance to save our antibiotics

The Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics brings together health, medical, civil-society, farming, and animal-welfare groups and campaigns to stop the overuse of antibiotics in animal farming. It was founded in 2009 by Compassion in World Farming, the Soil Association and Sustain.

In 2024, our International Affairs team contributed to the development of new recommendations aimed at reducing international antibiotic use in farmed animals.

one health approach

Our vision is a world in which human and animal health and well-being are protected by food and farming systems that do not rely on routine antibiotic use. A ‘one health’ approach is needed to deal with antibiotic resistance which aims at achieving optimal health outcomes and recognises that human, animal, and environmental health are all interconnected.

The Alliance’s advocacy efforts contributed to a landmark regulation coming into force across the EU in January 2022, and the UK in 2024, introducing a host of tighter legal restrictions including a ban on all routine use of antibiotics.

Global action is needed to safeguard our antibiotics worldwide.

Visit the Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics website to find out more.