Recently the Humane Society of the United States informed Ohio residents and businesses that they were going to be next on the agenda after having successfully passed “Proposition 2” in California last fall. According to Brownfield, the Ohio State Legislature has passed a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a thirteen member “Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board.” This board would be responsible for the development of standards for the care of livestock (including confined livestock). This proposal, once finalized, should appear on the ballot in November. The Humane Society’s president, Wayne Pacelle, responded by stating:
Big Agribusiness' attempt to amend Ohio's constitution by creating an industry-dominated council to oversee farm animal treatment is poor policy and an attempt to thwart meaningful reform. This proposed council is a blatant attempt to stall efforts to halt inhumane confinement practices for veal calves, pigs and other animals on factory farms — systems that are so restrictive that the animals are often prevented from engaging in basic movements such as turning around and extending their limbs.He further claimed that:
It's a special interest power grab that is designed to circumvent the input of all Ohioans into the process and divert attention from serious reform. Ohio legislators and Governor Strickland should see through this bait-and-switch maneuver, and we urge them not to stand in the way of a serious look at factory farming practices in Ohio. All animals deserve humane treatment, including animals raised for food.Farm and Dairy announced that the Ohio ballot initiative has passed through the House by a vote of 84-13 and was passed by the Senate unanimously (32-0). The ballot initiative states that the board would be made of members such as the State Director of Agriculture, the State Veterinarian, another veterinarian, a dean of a college agricultural department, two members of the public to represent consumers, a member of a county humane society, farmers, and members from statewide organizations that represent farmers. In response to the situation in Ohio, the Michigan House of Representatives has introduced a bill entitled the “Animal Industry Act.”
Posted: 06/26/09
