Issue 2, which has become one of the more hotly debated agricultural policy issues of the summer has been approved by the majority of Ohio voters, thus presumably preempting an effort by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), as well as other animal rights advocacy groups, to change animal welfare laws in Ohio.As the Associated Press is reporting, the voters approved the measure, which calls for a board of stakeholders to “oversee livestock care.” The AP reports that with 45 percent of the precincts reporting, “the issue was leading 65 percent to 35 percent.”
The HSUS and others were seeking to change the law in Ohio regarding the housing and transportation of livestock. The HSUS has been successful in changing such laws in seven states. Recently the HSUS has turned to ballot measures in states where ballot measures are allowed and have gotten voters to approve of language requiring livestock be able to extend their limbs, move around, stand, lie down, etc.
To prevent the HSUS from doing the same in Ohio, those with interests in the Ohio livestock industry decided to push their own ballot measure first that would establish a thirteen member Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. This is the measure Ohio voters supported yesterday. The board would be comprised of farmers, veterinarians, experts, consumers, and a representative from a local animal rights organization. Members would be appointed to the board by the governor and “legislative leaders.”
Upon hearing these unofficial results, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Thomas Ott reports that Issue 2 opponents blamed their loss on the financial support Issue 2 backers had from those involved in the livestock industry. “The outcome shows that money makes it possible to ‘write your business plan into the Ohio Constitution,’ said Brian Rothenberg, executive director of the liberal advocacy group ProgressOhio. ‘That's a very dangerous precedent.’”
Meanwhile, Ott reports that, “Amendment supporters made an emotional pitch. Led by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, they said a ‘yes’ vote was for safe, locally grown food and ‘no’ risked dependence on food from other states and countries.”
Undeterred, the HSUS vows to continue the policy fight, telling the AP the organization is planning on pushing their own ballot measure that would impose the livestock standards they support.
Future Model?
As this blog recently posted, the model employed by the Ohio livestock industry could become a blueprint for other states looking to prevent the HSUS from changing their laws. ‘"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."’
To read a previous blog post on Issue 2 being a blueprint for other states, click here or try the new search engine which is located on the right side of the home page, where you can search for any previous post on Issue 2 (or any other issue for that matter) this blog has published.
To read the AP article on Issue 2 passing click here.
To read Thomas Ott’s article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer click here.
To read the AP article on Issue 2 passing click here.
To read Thomas Ott’s article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer click here.
Posted: 11/04/09
