Embedding animal welfare in the IPEA mandate: a One Health imperative for curbing antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

The brief, prepared as the Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against Antimicrobial Resistance (IPEA) takes shape, calls for animal welfare to be integrated into IPEA’s scope and framework. It stresses that improving animal welfare reduces the need for antimicrobials in agrifood systems, thereby strengthening AMR mitigation efforts. Despite global commitments to cut antimicrobial use (AMU) in animals by 2030, progress is slowing, and practices such as antimicrobial growth promotion (still used in at least 34 countries) and routine preventive use in healthy animals remain widespread. Better welfare standards can lower stress, improve health and productivity, and reduce reliance on antimicrobials—key to curbing AMR in intensive farming systems where resistant pathogens spread rapidly through food, water, air, direct contact, and the environment. Economically, a 30% global reduction in AMU could add US$120 billion to GDP between 2025–2050. Embedding animal welfare in IPEA’s work would enhance both the scientific strength and the practical impact of its recommendations.