Antibiotics use in livestock could rise by a third in next 15 years, UN report warns
A UN report warns that antibiotic use in livestock could increase by nearly a third over the next 15 years without government intervention. This rise poses significant risks to human health due to the potential for increased antimicrobial resistance. Experts urge for better regulation and practices in farming to mitigate these risks.
- ▪Antibiotic use in livestock is projected to rise by 30% by 2040 without intervention.
- ▪Animal husbandry accounts for nearly three-quarters of global antimicrobial use, often poorly monitored.
- ▪The economic impact of rising antibiotic resistance in livestock could reach $318 billion by 2040.
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Pigs on a farm. The use of antibiotics for growth promotion has been banned in the EU and the UK since 2006. Photograph: Matt Kelley/APView image in fullscreenPigs on a farm. The use of antibiotics for growth promotion has been banned in the EU and the UK since 2006. Photograph: Matt Kelley/APFarmingAntibiotics use in livestock could rise by a third in next 15 years, UN report warnsGovernments urged to act to prevent potentially disastrous impacts on human resistance to medicinesFiona Harvey Environment editorWed 3 Jun 2026 07.04 EDTFirst published on Wed 3 Jun 2026 06.03 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe use of antibiotics on livestock will rise by nearly a third in the next 15 years without government intervention, according to new global estimates, with potentially disastrous…
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