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Ohio voters approve livestock care board

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The Associated Press Updated 7:01 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

COLUMBUS — Ohio voters have delivered a victory to large farm operators, approving a new industry-dominated board to oversee livestock care.

With 45 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday, the issue was leading 65 percent to 35 percent.

The measure was designed to thwart efforts of animal rights groups such as the Humane Society of the United States that are intent on outlawing the close confinement of laying hens, breeding sows and veal calves.

Laws outlawing keeping those animals in cramped cages or crates have passed in seven states.

The ballot issue was viewed as a blueprint for other rural states to avoid such laws being imposed.

Ohio's livestock care board will have 13 members of both parties representing farmers, veterinarians, food safety experts, and consumers. It will have one animal rights advocate.

The Humane Society vowed Tuesday to mount a future Ohio ballot campaign instituting farm animal protections.

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