The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) eradication program in Hungary, implemented between 2014 and 2022, utilized complete herd replacement and the introduction of high-performance breeds to enhance production efficiency and environmental sustainability in the swine sector. As a result, the sow population was reduced by 26.2% while maintaining nearly the same number of slaughter pigs. This led to significant reductions in ammonia emissions (−145,857 kg), slurry production (−153,879 m³), nitrogen emissions (−1,409,951 kg), and overall greenhouse gas emissions (91,768,362 kg CO2eq). Additionally, the feed and water consumption were substantially decreased by 53,237,805 kg and 292,978,094 L, respectively, further lowering the sector’s environmental footprint. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of customized eradication strategies and advanced breeding practices in reducing the environmental impact of animal husbandry. These findings underscore the necessity for ongoing collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable livestock production methods. The Hungarian experience provides valuable insights into how targeted interventions can simultaneously improve production outcomes and reduce the environmental burden in the swine industry.

This review investigates genetic strategies aimed at improving robustness in pigs to enhance disease resistance and reduce reliance on antibiotics. Robustness refers to a pig’s ability to stay healthy and productive under stressful or challenging conditions. The review outlines current breeding practices focused on key traits such as maternal ability, growth, immune function, and survival, and highlights that these robustness-related traits show measurable heritability, making them suitable for genetic improvement. Special attention is given to resistance against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), a major disease in swine. We also evaluate breed-specific differences, environmental influences, and immune response profiles, emphasizing their impact on breeding outcomes. The development of robust pig lines emerges as a sustainable strategy to reduce antibiotic dependence and enhance herd health. A distinctive contribution of this work is the integration of genetic robustness and resilience strategies with antibiotic stewardship objectives. We link genomic selection, advanced phenotyping, and targeted management interventions within a One Health framework to outline actionable, system-level pathways for reducing antimicrobial inputs. To our knowledge, this combined genetic and public health perspective has not been comprehensively addressed previously.

Antimicrobial agents, and especially antibiotics, have played a crucial role in combating infectious diseases for decades. As antimicrobial resistance (AMR) becomes more widespread, treatment efficacy decreases, leading to therapeutic failures and significant economic consequences. Global efforts to address AMR are increasingly guided by the “One Health” approach, which emphasizes coordinated strategies spanning human, animal, plant, and environmental health. AMR is now one of the most pressing global health challenges, affecting humans, animals, crops, and ecosystems alike. Among its many contributing factors, the inappropriate use of antimicrobials is particularly critical. To better understand the factors influencing AMR and to implement and assess strategies for reducing antimicrobial use (AMU), accurate and detailed data on actual usage and indications are essential. Systematic data collection allows stakeholders to evaluate their current antibiotic practices and identify areas needing intervention. In EU member states with established traditions of AMU analysis, centralized databases facilitate benchmarking across sectors and countries; however, reporting and analyzing AMU data remains a significant challenge for both EU and national administrations. At the societal level, growing consumer concern demands that veterinarians and livestock keepers gain a deeper understanding of the root causes of disease and production losses. This knowledge supports informed decision-making aimed at improving overall herd health, ensuring economic viability, promoting responsible AMU, and reducing environmental impact. Experience in Hungary and abroad shows that achieving optimal AMU in large-scale livestock farming requires a shift in mindset. This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the global, European and Hungarian challenges in the fight against antibiotic resistance. It also presents current data collection and monitoring systems, along with the core principles and strategies of responsible AMU.