A federal science panel is calling for a crackdown in the use of antibiotics on farm animals. The panel says antibiotic-resistant bacteria is developing in humans because of what we eat.

Scientists say animals fed with antibiotics have become breeding grounds for resistant bacteria that can be passed to humans.

Farmers use the drugs to fight infection and promote weight gain.

The panel made several recommendations:

• antibiotics for animals should be available only by veterinarian's prescription, not over the counter as it is now
• improved surveillance to measure the use of drugs in animals
• Health Canada should assess each drug used in agriculture
• measures should be implemented to stop the use of unapproved drugs given to animals

There have been previous warnings about the amount of antibiotics given to animals in North America.

Shiv Chopra, a scientist at Health Canada, said he agrees with the union and fears that the situation in Canada is getting worse.

The department has set up a national surveillance system to detect the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Chopra says more should be done to restrict or abandon the use of antibiotics in farm animals.

The New England Journal of Medicine also called for a ban in the use of antibiotics in animals. The journal cited several studies saying the practice was causing health problems in people.

Farmers contend it will take longer for animals to grow without the use of drugs and consumers will eventually bear the brunt of additional production costs.

Consumers can protect themselves. Cooking meat thoroughly kills the bacteria as does washing your hands and work surfaces after handling meat.