The Oklahoma Farm Report online writes that the American Farm Bureau Federation is concerned that looming battles over attempts to change animal agriculture standards could become a major financial drain on the agriculture industry.Mary Kay Thatcher, Director of the Ag Policy team for the American Farm Bureau Federation (Farm Bureau) thinks the “millions spent in Ohio [over Issue 2] is just a drop in the bucket in the battle over the next years.” Though the Farm Bureau has a substantial membership, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) actually has more members and a bigger budget than the Farm Bureau, according to the Oklahoma Farm Report.
Even with those numbers being what they are, agrarian states have a model for success in preempting action by the HSUS while keeping agriculture at the table when it comes to determining regulations for raising livestock. Still, the HSUS has had success in the past, and there are plenty more ballot initiative states to be pursued. Thus, the battle between the two organizations might be a story line for some time to come.
To read the Oklahoma Farm Report story click here.
Posted: 11/10/09
