Economic and Environmental Consequences of Antibiotic Use in Livestock Farming: A Longitudinal Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47672/ajlp.1956Keywords:
Environmental Consequences, Antibiotic, Livestock FarmingAbstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess economic and environmental consequences of antibiotic use in livestock farming, a longitudinal study.
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: The study observed that over-reliance on antibiotics in livestock led to increased costs due to antibiotic resistance development and decreased productivity in the long term. This trend was particularly evident in sectors such as poultry and swine farming, where antibiotic usage was more prevalent. Furthermore, the study highlighted the substantial economic burden posed by antibiotic-resistant infections on both livestock producers and consumers. Environmentally, the research pointed out that antibiotic use in farming contributed to the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment, leading to contamination of soil, water, and air. This contamination not only poses risks to human health but also disrupts ecosystem functioning.
Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: One health theory, tragedy of the commons theory and sustainable agriculture theory may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the economic and environmental consequences of antibiotic use in livestock farming, a longitudinal study. Encourage the adoption of sustainable farming practices, such as rotational grazing, diversified crop rotations, and integrated pest management, to reduce reliance on antibiotics and promote soil health. Enact and enforce stricter regulations on antibiotic use in livestock farming, including bans on non-therapeutic uses and limits on antibiotic residues in animal products
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