The use of antibiotics in livestock farming could increase by 30% by 2040, according to a study.
A study published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications warns that the use of antibiotics in livestock farming could increase by nearly 30% globally by 2040 unless targeted actions are taken to improve livestock productivity. If no measures are implemented, global consumption of these medications could reach approximately 143,500 tons by 2040, marking a 29.5% rise compared to 2019.
However, researchers from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the University of Zurich emphasize that strategic productivity gains in livestock systems could potentially reduce the expected use of antibiotics by half, or even by up to 57%. These gains could stem from various actions aimed at enhancing animal health, such as prevention, monitoring, and the adoption of better practices and greater efficiency in production. Rather than increasing herd sizes, these practices would allow for a reduction in the number of animals while maintaining high productivity levels.
The study estimates that such an approach could bring annual antibiotic use down to 62,000 tons.
The issue of antibiotic resistance—the growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics—remains a significant public health challenge. In 2024, United Nations member states called for a substantial reduction in the use of these treatments in food systems through a declaration at the General Assembly, in an effort to safeguard their effectiveness and combat this alarming phenomenon.
