Letter to the Editor
To the Editor:I strongly recommend a yes vote for State Issue 2 this Nov. 3. Issue 2 is the Ohio Livestock Care Initiative which will establish a statewide board to set standards for livestock and poultry care. With this board, Ohioans will be making decisions about the standards of care for Ohio livestock.
Ohio farmers are committed to responsible care for their animals, and a board like this should not be necessary; but unfortunately in today’s society, there are those who wish to control our food supply that have never raised farm animals and don’t have any understanding of responsible farming practices.
One outside organization that is trying to control farming practices around the nation is the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). HSUS is an activist organization whose ultimate goal is to end all livestock agriculture. HSUS is not affiliated to our local humane society. Our local Wayne County Humane Society endorses a yes vote on Issue 2.
In California, HSUS organized a ballot initiative to ban certain farming practices. They used a highly emotional campaign based on inaccurate information. Because of this win, the California legislature is now continuing to ban other farming practices one by one. HSUS is well-funded; many folks that contribute to them believe they are contributing to their local animal shelter. Ohio is their first target in the Midwest; they have threatened to do a ballot initiative here in 2010.
Issue 2 is a proactive approach put forward by Ohioans to set standards based on sound science, best farm management practices, affordability and food safety. The board will be comprised of three family farmers, two veterinarians, a representative of a local humane society, the dean of an Ohio Agricultural College, a food safety specialist and two consumers. The board will be chaired by the director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. This will ensure Ohioans set standards for Ohio.
Ohio’s consumers enjoy a wide variety of food choices at very affordable prices. Issue 2 is about continuing to have safe, local, affordable food for Ohioans in the future. Outside activist interests working to ban specific farming practices one by one will devastate Ohio agriculture, Ohio’s economy, and your choice at the grocery store.
Help Ohio be proactive--vote yes for Issue 2 on Nov. 3.
Ann M. Obrecht,
Wayne County Commissioner
Shreve