Linking Animal Welfare and Antibiotic Use in Pig Farming—A Review

Abstract

Preventative measures, such as biosecurity and vaccinations, are essential but not sufficient to ensure high standards of health in pig production systems. Restrictive, barren housing and many widely used management practices that cause pain and stress predispose high-performance pigs reared in intensive systems to disease. In this context, antibiotics are used as part of the infrastructure that sustains health and high levels of production in pig farms. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global emergency affecting human and animal health, and the use of antibiotics (AMU) in intensive livestock farming is considered an important risk factor for the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria from animals to humans. Tackling the issue of AMR demands profound changes in AMU, e.g., reducing their use for prophylaxis and ending it for growth promotion. In support of such recommendations, we revise the link between animal welfare and AMU and argue that it is crucial to sustainably reduce AMU while ensuring that pigs can live happy lives. In support of such recommendations, we aimed to revise the link between animal welfare and AMU in pigs by analysing stress factors related to housing and management and their impact on pig welfare. In particular, we reviewed critical management practices that increase stress and, therefore, pigs’ susceptibility to disease and reduce the quality of life of pigs. We also reviewed some alternatives that can be adopted in pig farms to improve animal welfare and that go beyond the reduction in stress. By minimising environmental and management stressors, pigs can become more immunocompetent and prepared to overcome pathogenic challenges. This outcome can contribute to reducing AMU and the risk of AMR while simultaneously improving the quality of life of pigs and, ultimately, maintaining the pig industry’s social license.

Transitioning from crates to free farrowing: A roadmap to navigate key decisions

“…Other benefits that could offset the costs, but are not widely evaluated, include rebreeding efficiency, with one study showing an increase in subsequent litter size after initially farrowing in pens where the sow was loose ( 109 ). There are emerging studies on how systems that allow both the sow and piglets greater freedom of movement and behavioral expression can improve the resilience of piglets in the longer-term [e.g., by changing immune competence, accelerating the maturation of gut microbiota—for review see ( 110 )] which might impact health and welfare, and thus economic performance. However, evidence on the lifetime consequences of alternative farrowing systems remains sparse.…”

Entendendo O Bem-Estar Animal E Sua Associação a Produção De Suínos Criados Livre De Gaiolas

“…Avanços significativos no reconhecimento científico e legal da senciência e bem-estar animal foram alcançados nas últimas décadas e norteiam esta discussão. A Office International des Epizooties (OIE) engloba os elementos básicos que constituem o bem-estar animal em seu Código Sanitário dos Animais Terrestres, afirmando que "um animal experimenta bom bem-estar se estiver saudável, confortável, bem nutrido, seguro, não sofrer de estados desagradáveis, como dor, medo e angústia, e ser capaz de expressar comportamentos que são importantes para o seu estado físico e mental" (OIE, 2019; ALBERNAZ-GONÇALVES et al, 2022). No entanto, os sistemas de produção intensiva de suínos, em geral, falham em muitos desses objetivos e oferecem poucas condições para que os animais experimentem estados afetivos positivos e de interação com sua própria espécie (ALBERNAZ-GONÇALVES et al, 2022).…”

Elemental and In vitro Antioxidant Studies of Some Bracharia species and Milk from Bowen University Dairy Farm

“…A lot of biological and environmental factors, such as changes in climatic variables, feed and husbandry practices, transportation, and various prophylactic measures, are exposed to both humans and animals, such as dairy cows (Hoffmann, 2010;Elahi et al, 2017;Mota-Rojas et al, 2021). Both humans and animals need to be able to combat these factors to stay healthy and productive (Gaggìa et al, 2010;Rahal et al, 2014;Albernaz-Gonçalves et al, 2022). Antioxidants interact with free radicals and neutralize them, preventing oxidative stress related damage.…”