EDIT: here’s a source for that figure
Previous studies have estimated that 73% of all antimicrobials sold globally are used in animals raised for food
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7766021/pdf/antibiotics-09-00918.pdf
EDIT: here’s a source for that figure
Previous studies have estimated that 73% of all antimicrobials sold globally are used in animals raised for food
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7766021/pdf/antibiotics-09-00918.pdf
I dug in (thanks for linking sources) and there are some promising details. The ~80% figure for the US is from a 2011 report (even though the citation states 2014…), so it’s very old. In 2019, the US began an initiative to increase awareness of this issue and address it, see the progress here (pdf link).
Not trying to counter the narrative, but at least we’re talking about it on the federal level, so maybe that can provide some optimism to people.
Unfortunately, the trend is in the opposite direction for the US. Here’s a more recent source looking at the use of the most medically important antibiotics and how they have continued to increase
(note: not including all antibiotics so not directly comparable previous citation)
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/despite-rising-deaths-bacterial-infection-meat-industry-under-little-pressure-2024-03-12/
Even some companies that specifically claim to not use antibiotics, have been found to use antibiotics
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/04/07/antibiotics-found-in-natural-meat/
Unfortunately talking about a problem is not enough when the industry throws money at legislators to not do anything or delay all progress.