ProgressOhio

Issue 2 is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would create a Livestock Care Standards Board to set standards for livestock care and other agriculture related issues. This powerful and undefined Board would be comprised of political appointees selected by the Governor and state legislative leaders.
Issue 2 was created through an alliance between agri-business and Ohio politicians in a defensive move to negate a potential future statewide initiative advocating better treatment of farm livestock by the Humane Society and others concerned about the negative effects of factory farming on public health and the environment.

The proposed Constitutional amendment would grant the Livestock Board the power to decide how animals are raised and accounted for. The Board would have the authority to overrule the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Legislature and Ohio voters unless by future Constitutional amendment. Passage of Issue 2 will effectively create a new regulatory body that removes the public from future decisions on animal care.

In other states including Michigan, animal rights groups, agri-business and lawmakers worked together to develop a set of reasonable standards without resorting to an additional layer of government. I believe Ohio should follow that course.

Issue 2 backers include special interest groups including the Ohio Cattlemens Association, Ohio Pork Producers Council and the Ohio Farm Bureau, all heavily influenced by large corporate interests.

If big business interests gain control of agriculture regulations in Ohio, potential detrimental effects may include higher grocery prices, an unfair playing field for smaller family farms and new licensing and regulatory fees.

In essence Issue 2 moves Ohio away from the democratic process by shifting oversight and control of corporate agriculture to politically appointed officials. How difficult will it be in the future for a corporate agriculture interest to influence a small Board instead of the entire Ohio legislature?

Factory farming of animals is implicated in the fouling of waterways, and in the generation of threats to public health, including e coli contamination, and the incubation of new flu viruses (why it’s called swine flu). Because of this, it is not acceptable to remove the public from the regulatory process.

Agriculture is Ohio’s largest industry and proper regulation is necessary, however, the creation of a new political board with broad powers and backed by agri-business is not in the best interests of the citizens of Ohio.

Agriculture has existed in Ohio for at least 200 years without a standards board bureaucracy. Moreover the Ohio Legislature and State Board of Agriculture has the authority to negotiate with animal rights groups and implement prudent changes.

The Humane Society has stated that they will attempt to impose restrictions on farms with or without Issue 2. If the purpose of Issue 2 is to mitigate potential reforms from the Humane Society, it’s a waste of time and energy.

Ohio Farmers know their craft and I think they are willing to work with animal rights and public health groups to address any potential areas for improvement.

Please join me, Ohio Against Constitutional Takeover, the Ohio Sierra Club and the Ohio Farmers Union in voting NO on Issue 2.