As part of this year’s World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW), the Action Group on Animal Welfare – AMR Nexus, led by World Federation for Animals (WFA), and supported by FOUR PAWS, The Brooke, and Compassion in World Farming, is launching the #Animals4AMR campaign. This week-long social media campaign showcases how better animal welfare can help prevent antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
This campaign builds on the Action Group’s recent policy brief, “Embedding Animal Welfare in IPEA’s Mandate: A One Health Imperative for Reducing AMR,” which calls for animal welfare to be recognised as a cornerstone of AMR prevention.
Why focus on animals?
Animals play a central role in the AMR challenge. In industrial animal farming, the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials drive the development of resistant pathogens. By improving welfare standards in areas such as housing, handling, breeding, and nutrition, farmers and producers can lower disease risk and reduce reliance on antimicrobials.
Integrating animal welfare into AMR governance isn’t just good for animals: It strengthens food systems, protects livelihoods and ecosystems, and supports public health under the One Health approach.
A collective effort: Our campaign heroes
Throughout 18–24 November 2025, the #Animals4AMR campaign brings together diverse voices from across government, research, farming, the private sector, and international organisations to answer one simple question:
“How does animal welfare prevent diseases and reduce the need for antimicrobials in farming?”
Dr Naphtal Mwanziki (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya) explains how stronger welfare protects animals, reduce antibiotic use, and support more sustainable food systems.
Dr Rebecca Doyle (International Livestock Research Institute & The University of Edinburgh) explains how better animal welfare reduces stress and disease, lowering antimicrobial use.
Brian Bilkes (Canadian Federation of Agriculture) and David Barton (National Farmers Union UK), both members of the World Farmers’ Organisation, show how practical farm-level welfare improvements keep animals healthy and reduce antibiotics, and how good nutrition and housing on farms prevent disease and cut antimicrobial reliance.
Carel du Marchie Sarvaas (HealthforAnimals) demonstrates how investing in animal health and welfare reduces antibiotic use.
Junxia Song (FAO) and Javier Yugueros-Marcos (WOAH) illustrate how strong animal welfare systems strengthen health and help prevent AMR globally, and how improving living conditions for animals is essential for prevention and global AMR control.
About the Action Group on Animal Welfare – AMR Nexus
Led by the World Federation for Animals, the Animal Welfare – AMR Nexus Action Group includes over 30 member organisations working together to embed welfare within the global AMR response.
Their collective expertise informs evidence-based recommendations such as integrating welfare into the mandate of the future Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against AMR (IPEA).
Join the conversation!
Watch all the campaign videos on the World Federation for Animals’ YouTube channel. Follow and share the discussion on social media under #Animals4AMR.
