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Farm  issue subject of Monday meeting

Issue 2 aimed at creating livestock regulatory board

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By Richard Wilson, Staff Writer 10:56 PM Sunday, September 20, 2009

HAMILTON — A statewide ballot initiative is aimed at keeping local control over farming practices.

Few outside the agricultural industry may be aware that Issue 2, if passed Nov. 3, will amend the state constitution to create an Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, which will regulate the treatment of farm animals, like cows, pigs and chickens.

Those campaigning in favor of the issue include the Butler County Farm Bureau, which will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at the OSU Princeton Road Campus, 1802 Princeton Road.

Issue 2 will create a local board to ensure that food grown locally is safe and reasonably priced, said Farmersville-based Christy Montoya, the farm bureau’s organizational director for Butler, Warren, Hamilton and Montgomery counties.

However, Issue 2 is opposed by the Humane Society of the United States, which is concerned about creating more humane conditions for farm animals.

Adam Sharp, of the Ohio Farm Bureau, said Issue 2 is a proactive effort to prevent what’s happened in other states, where farming regulations have been imposed by outside groups.

“Normally farmers are against regulations. But in light of what’s going on in other states, we feel this is a good step forward — for Ohioans to be in charge of Ohioans,” Sharp said.

If Issue 2 passes, Sharp said a statewide regulatory board will be formed consisting of 13 members, with the director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture serving as chairman, 10 members appointed by the governor and one each appointed by the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2122 or rwilson@coxohio.com.

Issue 2 is a proactive effort to prevent outside groups from imposing farming regulations on Ohioans.

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Because it’s designed to favor large factory farms, not family farmers, Issue 2 is opposed by the Ohio Farmers Union, the Ohio Environmental Stewardship Alliance, and the Ohio Sierra Club.

The editorial boards of Ohio’s major newspapers—including the Columbus Dispatch, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Akron Beacon Journal, and Dayton Daily News—all oppose this effort to enshrine the agribusiness lobby’s favored oversight system in the state’s constitution.

Please vote NO on issue 2.

Paul
1:25 PM, 9/22/2009

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Issue 2 attempts to circumvent meaningful reform in the way that farm animals are raised. For example, the proposed "animal care" council would be dominated by agribusiness interests interested in preserving the status quo. The HSUS believes that farm animals should be able to stand up, turn around, and extend their limbs. All animals deserve humane treatment, even those raised for food. We are joined by the Ohio Farmers Union in opposing Issue 2. Visit humanesociety.org to learn more.

Hillary
9:55 PM, 9/21/2009

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Issue 2 is aimed at shutting down debate around the current practice of confining farm animals so intensively they can't even stand up, turn around, and spread their limbs. All animals deserve to be treated humanely, even those raised for food. The HSUS is joined by the Ohio Farmers Union, the Ohio Sierra Club, and the editorial boards of many prominent Ohio newspapers in opposing Issue 2. Find out why we are urging our members and supporters to vote no by visiting humanesociety.org.

Hillary
9:07 PM, 9/21/2009

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I totally agree Mr. Wood. It states that the Governor of Ohio will appoint people to the board, and last time I checked, our Governor was fairly liberal and will most likely side on the side of the Humane Society. The Humane Society has money, and will find a way to get on the board if we create one. Worst of all, my Edgewood FFA Chapter supports this, and the teacher preaches it in class. In my opinion, thats not very good practice. Less Government regulation, vote no on issue 2!

Edgewood Student
7:38 PM, 9/21/2009

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Yes, just what we need! More government regulations and of course more committees!. When I was in business we always said that meetings were where we tried to figure out how not to have meetings!!!!

Gerald Wood
11:25 AM, 9/21/2009

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