KLA: Constitutional Amendment Would Protect Ohio Farm Animals, Consumers
11/03/2009 09:17AM
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Ohio voters will decide today whether to adopt a constitutional amendment that would create a 13-member Livestock Care Standards Board. Issue 2 was drafted by an Ohio agricultural coalition in response to threats from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to dictate how food animals are housed and handled through legislation and/or other ballot measures.
If Issue 2 is approved, the newly created board will include the state agriculture director, family farmers and ranchers, veterinarians, a representative from a local humane society and consumers. The amendment will give local animal welfare experts the authority to explore best practices in animal care and prevent unfounded regulations advocated by animal rights groups.
Individual farmers and ranchers, ag organizations, veterinarians and consumers have rallied behind Issue 2 to ensure quality animal care and the future of food production in Ohio . The Animal Agriculture Alliance suggests HSUS has shown, by opposing the measure, its true motivation is not the improvement of farm animal welfare, but the elimination of animal agriculture altogether.
Agriculture is one of Ohio ’s largest industries. According to the ag coalition, Ohioans for Livestock Care, initiatives proposed by national animal activist groups would set rigid, inflexible and impractical rules for how livestock and poultry are housed. Analysis shows the activist proposals would lead to higher food costs, jeopardize food safety, increase the amount of food imported into Ohio and drive thousands of the state’s farmers out of business.
For more information visit www.kla.org.