New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) Citing animal welfare and human health concerns, NGO Humane Society International (HSI) Wednesday urged the government to ban the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics on farm animals because of their direct linkage with the food chain.

"Anti-biotic resistant bacteria often infects the farm animals who become resistant to the antibiotics given to them usually even when not required. Eventually animals such as chickens, and others raised for meat become more resistant to the antibiotics needed to treat sick humans," said a statement from the HSI.

The animal rights organisation stated that the antibiotics not only affect the animals, but also have a negative impact on the health of human beings who consume the farm produce such as milk, eggs, meat.

"We hope that the ministry of health recognises the importance of these recommendations and imposes a ban on the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in farm animals," said N.G. Jayasimha, manager of HSI's factory farming campaign in India.