1 million people die each year from antibiotic resistance. Accused person? Factory farm.

Antibiotic use in factory farming is a widespread practice that has serious consequences for public health and the environment. Overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture has contributed to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (or “superbugs”), which are a growing threat to human health.

It is estimated that about 75 percent of all antibiotics produced worldwide are used in animal agriculture. Just how has this routine practice affected public health? Global non-profit World Animal Protection (WAP) has produced a first-of-its-kind report to examine the impacts. And the findings are astounding.

World Animal Protection

“Antibiotic resistance is a rapidly growing public health threat, and the clear link to factory farming uncovered in this report shows the urgent need for food systems that protect animals and people,” Annette Manusevich, Farming Campaign Manager, World Animal Protection, US, said in a statement.

Antibiotic use in factory farming

In its report, the WAP revealed that four superbugs found in factory farms – namely, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter and non-typhoidal Salmonella – were linked to 975,000 deaths and 35 million illnesses in 2019.

To put that number in perspective, that’s more than the number of people who died that year from common cancers, HIV/AIDS or malaria.

The WAP calculates that putting so many people out of the workforce costs $400 billion in global GDP.

The use of antibiotics in animal agriculture also has environmental consequences. Antibiotics are excreted by animals and become manure, which can contaminate soil and water. This can spread antibiotic-resistant bacteria into the environment and affect wildlife and ecosystems.

Furthermore, the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture contributes to the overall problem of antibiotic contamination, which is a growing global concern.

World Animal Protection

Despite these risks, the use of antibiotics in factory farming remains widespread, particularly in countries with intensive animal production systems. Although antibiotics were developed to be used sparingly to treat illness, WAP reports that most (84 percent) antibiotics are administered to healthy animals in factory farms worldwide as a preventive measure to protect meat and dairy producers’ profits.

Some efforts have been made to reduce the use of antibiotics in agriculture, such as the development of alternative treatments, improved hygiene and management practices, and regulatory measures.

However, Manusevich explained, more needs to be done to address the issue, including adopting sustainable and responsible farming practices that prioritize public health and environmental protection.

“Meat and dairy production in the U.S. sells about 11 million kilograms (24 million pounds) of antibiotics per year, which has increased in recent years,” Manusevich said.

“Urgent action is needed to control the use of antibiotics in the agricultural industry and to reduce meat in the diet in high-meat consuming countries to build a more sustainable food system and stop the next global health crisis,” Manusevich said.

What if factory farms were allowed to conduct business as usual? The WAP estimates that the number of human deaths linked to antibiotic resistance will double to 2 million by 2050, putting a $1.67 trillion dent in global GDP.

Dismantling factory farms for public health

While factory farms were created to feed people together, WAP’s new report spotlights how the model is a growing public health threat.

This issue, along with animal cruelty, environmental damage, and others, is the impetus behind Senator Cory Booker’s proposed Farm Systems Reform Act (FSRA).

“For years I have worked to elevate the voices of farmers, workers and consumers in urban and rural communities, sounding the alarm about our broken food system and calling for change,” Booker said in a statement.

First proposed in 2019, the legislation seeks to phase out the largest factory farms in the United States by 2040. Booker—the first to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee—reintroduced legislation in a vegan-diverse format, most recently as a package of farm bill reforms.

World Animal Protection

“The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and recent climate change-related disasters have highlighted how fragile our current food system is,” Booker said. “So I’m excited to reintroduce a package of bills that will help make our food system more competitive, resilient, humane and inclusive for all.”

Originally enacted in 1933, the current version of the farm bill is set to expire on September 30, 2023. Of the 12 distinct categories or “headings” present in the farm bill, four major categories, namely nutrition, crop insurance, commodities, and conservation, account for 99 percent of the budget allocation.

As congressional representatives sit in the Senate and House Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry to begin drafting the next farm bill, Senator Booker and several advocacy organizations will work to influence the bill’s future priorities.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Senate Agriculture Committee to make meaningful progress on these issues, because the status quo created by agribusiness special interests puts us all at risk,” Booker said.