Global Livestock Antibiotic Use.

April 3, 2025

Introduction:

Recently, study by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projected that global antibiotic use in livestock could rise by 30% by 2040 if no targeted interventions are implemented. This increase would see antibiotic use reach approximately 143,481 tons, up from around 110,777 tons in 2019. However, the research also marks that strategic improvements in livestock productivity could potentially halve this projected increase, reducing antibiotic use to about 62,000 tons.

Ways to Reduce Antibiotic Use:

• Improving animal health, management practices, and production efficiency can cut antibiotic use by 57%, bringing it down to 62,000 tons by 2040.
• This approach not only addresses antibiotic use but also strengthens food security.

Regional Contribution to Antibiotic Use (2019 Data):

• Asia-Pacific: 64.6% (largest contributor)
• South America: 19%
• Africa: 5.7%
• North America: 5.5%
• Europe: 5.2%

Global Efforts to Reduce Antibiotic Use

• The 2024 UN General Assembly Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Declaration calls for a major reduction in antibiotic use in food systems by 2030.
• The FAO’s RENOFARM initiative supports sustainable livestock management by providing policy guidance, technical help, and capacity-building.

UN’s AMR Declaration

The 2024 UN General Assembly AMR Declaration calls for a substantial reduction in antibiotic use in agrifood systems by 2030. This global commitment emphasises the urgent need for collective action among stakeholders in the livestock sector to combat AMR.

Key Aspects of the Declaration

• It aims to reduce deaths linked to bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by 10% by 2030 (currently about 4.95 million deaths per year).
• Countries need sustainable funding, with a total of $100 million in initial funding, to ensure at least 60% of them have properly funded AMR action plans by 2030.
• This will be done by finding more funding sources and getting more contributors for the Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
• At least 70% of antibiotics used for human health worldwide should come from the WHO’s “Access” group. These antibiotics have fewer side effects and are less likely to cause AMR.
• The “Access” group is one of three antibiotic categories under the WHO AWaRE system, along with “Watch” and “Reserve.”
• The declaration makes the Quadripartite (FAO, WHO, WOAH, UNEP) Joint Secretariat the main global organization coordinating efforts against AMR.

The RENOFRAM Initiative

• To support these efforts, FAO launched the Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation (RENOFARM) initiative in 2024.
• This 10-year global initiative aims to provide policy guidance, technical assistance, and capacity-building to help countries reduce antibiotic use while promoting sustainable livestock practices.
• It supports better farming practices to reduce antimicrobial use while still ensuring good food production.
• It follows FAO’s Action Plan on AMR (2021-2025) and works with global partners.

Farm 5Gs Strategy (Key Actions at Farm Level)

1. Good Health Services – Ensuring access to veterinary and health services for responsible use of antimicrobials.
2. Good Production Practices – Using better farming methods, hygiene, biosecurity, and waste management.
3. Good Alternatives – Using vaccines, biosecurity, pest control, and natural feed additives instead of antimicrobials.
4. Good Incentives – Supporting farmers through better policies, quality control, and supply chains.
5. Good Connection – Connecting farmers with necessary resources to reduce antimicrobial dependence.

Expected Outcomes of RENOFARM

• Healthier and sustainable food production with less reliance on antimicrobials.
• Stronger global and national Action Plans on AMR.
• Increased role of food and agriculture sectors in managing AMR risks.
• Support for achieving the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Targets by 2035

• 100 countries implementing and improving their AMR National Action Plans.
• 50% of animal and plant health experts trained in reducing antimicrobial use.
• 80% of countries contributing data to FAO’s AMR monitoring system.

Livestock Biomass Conversion Method

A key innovation from the study is the Livestock Biomass Conversion (LBC) method. This method improves the accuracy of estimating livestock biomass across various species and management practices. Enhanced estimation allows for better strategies to optimise livestock production and mitigate antibiotic reliance.