Global trends in antimicrobial use in food animals

TLDR

Antimicrobials are used in livestock to maintain health and productivity, but this practice spreads drug‑resistant pathogens to animals and humans, posing a major public health threat. Antimicrobial use is expected to rise due to increasing demand for livestock products in middle‑income countries and the expansion of large‑scale farms that routinely use antimicrobials. A global map of livestock antibiotic use shows 63,151 tons consumed in 2010 across 228 countries, with consumption projected to rise 67 % by 2030—doubling in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—and the study urges initiatives to preserve antibiotic effectiveness while maintaining food security in low‑ and lower‑middle‑income countries.

Abstract

Significance Antimicrobials are used in livestock production to maintain health and productivity. These practices contribute to the spread of drug-resistant pathogens in both livestock and humans, posing a significant public health threat. We present the first global map (228 countries) of antibiotic consumption in livestock and conservatively estimate the total consumption in 2010 at 63,151 tons. We project that antimicrobial consumption will rise by 67% by 2030, and nearly double in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This rise is likely to be driven by the growth in consumer demand for livestock products in middle-income countries and a shift to large-scale farms where antimicrobials are used routinely. Our findings call for initiatives to preserve antibiotic effectiveness while simultaneously ensuring food security in low- and lower-middle-income countries.