As John Seewer reports for the Associated Press today, the upcoming vote in Ohio on livestock care could serve as a model for “farmers in rural America . . . battling animal rights groups” looking to change state laws with regards to the treatment of livestock.The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has been successful in recent years in using state ballot initiatives to change the way farmers house livestock. One state recently targeted by the HSUS for reform is Ohio. Given the historical success of the HSUS in changing state laws, leaders from the agricultural industry in Ohio got together to see if they can find a compromise that serves both the interests of farmers and eases the concerns of consumers.
The result is Issue 2, which Ohioans will vote on next week. Issue 2 would create a livestock board made up of various stakeholders from all aspects of the food chain, from farmers to animal care experts. This board would be in charge of “overseeing livestock care” in the state.
If the voters pass Issue 2 it could become the model other states use to thwart attempts from animal rights activist to change the laws in their states. This is no accident. ‘"We've tried to model this in a way that other states can look at it,’ said Jack Fisher, executive vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. ‘This involves farmers, ranchers, everyone in the food chain."’
Previously, animal rights groups have been successful in changing the laws in California, Arizona, and Florida so that animals raised for food would have enough space where they are housed so that they can move around, lie down, and extend their limbs. They did this through state ballot measures. Additionally, as Seewer reports, “[l]awmakers in Colorado, Maine, Michigan and Oregon have adopted similar rules.” Seewer also reports that HSUS and other animal rights groups are “targeting 24 states that allow signature-driven petitions to appear on their ballots.”
While animal rights groups argue the changes represent a more humane way to raise livestock, farmers counter that the changes these groups want could significantly raise the cost of production, which could result in higher food prices or some livestock operations having to shut down. Additionally, they argue the changes desired by the animal rights groups are not based on sound science.
“Those within the industry say they need to do a better job of explaining why confining animals makes sense. They contend that cages protect the animals from predators and each other, keep barns cleaner and make it easier to inspect and treat the animals.” To get their message out and pass a constitutional amendment in Ohio to create the 13-member Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, the Ohio Farm Bureau “opened the Center for Food and Animal Issues,” which may spend up to $5 million in support of Issue 2.
The board would consist of the state agriculture director, farmers, veterinarians, consumers, and a representative from a local humane society. However, as Seewer reports, it is worth noting that even if Issue 2 does pass animal rights groups could still try to ban animal cages, but they would be required to gather more signatures for a spot on the ballot.
To read the Seewer article for the Associated Press click here.
Posted: 10/28/09
