Background. Antibiotic resistance (AR) has emerged as one of the most critical threats to global public health. This issue primarily results from the inappropriate and/or excessive use of antibiotics, not only in clinical medicine but also within food production systems, particularly those involving livestock. Farm animals are frequently exposed to feeds enriched with antibiotics for prophylaxis, metaphylaxis and growth promotion, exerting constant selective pressure on bacterial populations and facilitating the spread of resistant strains through the food chain, environment and human contact. This review critically examines the  contribution of livestock systems to the development and dissemination of AR, integrating genetic, environmental and socio-economic perspectives. It summarizes current scientific data on patterns of antibiotic use in animal production, highlights international regulations and control strategies, and evaluates the associated health and economic impacts. Moreover, we discuss promising alternatives to antibiotics,  including vaccination, probiotics, plant-derived compounds and improved biosecurity measures.
Results and conclusions. A substantial proportion of global antibiotic consumption is intended for livestock production, especially β-lactams, tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones. The continued and excessive use of these drugs in developing countries still drives resistance, which leads to serious health and economic consequences. Strengthening coordinated “One Health” policies harmonization and sustainable farming practices is therefore essential to mitigate this growing global threat.