As Ohio debates ballot issue on livestock care, Michigan agrees...

This is like letting Wall Street banks police themselves. What a joke. But all those slick commercials make it seem like Issue 2 is about "food safety," and "animal safety." Who could be opposed to that. The Farm Bureau and its ilk only want voters to have a say because they want this sham oversight board cemented in the Constitution, and that requires a vote of the people. Most voters will have no idea what they're voting on when they cast a ballot on Issue 2, and the agribusiness industrial complex knows this. And the appointment process of people to this board--by the governor and legislative leaders--will just be another outlet for politically connected goons to slop from the public trough, just like the pigs they will supposedly regulate.

Get_real..I suggest you learn more about this issue before you speak on it. I would much rather have the Ohio Constitution changed by the folks representing Ohio's number one industry than the Humane Society of the United States. The campaign that HSUS will lead next year in their efforts to trump this will cost millions that is donated by hardworking Americans who think their helping out a local dog shelter. Do a little homework and read on the real HSUS and its gorilla warfare tactics funded by those very donations. Read about their fundraising campaign to help displaced animals in New Orleans and the missing tens of millions of dollars unaccounted for and the Louisiana Attorney General’s investigation and how they leave the local humane societies out in the cold. Their fundraising efforts DO NOT support struggling shelters like our very own Capital Area Humane Shelter. Then you might just speak with a little more sensibility on this issue. OHIO'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IS DEPENDS ON YOUR "YES" VOTE.

Thanks for being so slimy and wasting everyone's time and money Ohio Farm Bureau. This is one case where you should've learned something from our neighbors up north. I hope your membership doesn't figure out that what you're doing with their financial support is peddling half-truths.

The real problem I'm having with Issue 2 is that the proponents are telling us little as to what they are trying to do, the opponents are telling us exactly nothing about why it should be opposed except that it shouldn't be in the Constitution and the media is only reporting what each group is saying. The only real information I have heard about Issue 2 is that it is a pre-emptive strike against PETA, the Humane Society and the Sierra Club so they can't move in and tell everyone how to raise livestock in the state of Ohio. Admittedly, that's not all bad.

I don't know much about this issue 2, or the industry for that matter, but it seems to me like another example of how Ohio can't do anything without putting it in the hands of voters that know little about what they are voting. The powers that be in other states get things done. right or wrong they get things done and learn at a rate that far exceeds Ohio's. Its like the casino issue, other states get the tax dallors from Ohio people and we have to convince a bunch of people that know nothing about casinos just to get them here cuase our leaders can't get ahead of the curve as the surrounding states have. I look forward to reading blogs about issue 2, because I know nothing about the biz!

SilverBullet wrote:

Get_real..I suggest you learn more about this issue before you speak on it. I would much rather have the Ohio Constitution changed by the folks representing Ohio's number one industry than the Humane Society of the United States. The campaign that HSUS will lead next year in their efforts to trump this will cost millions that is donated by hardworking Americans who think their helping out a local dog shelter. Do a little homework and read on the real HSUS and its gorilla warfare tactics funded by those very donations. Read about their fundraising campaign to help displaced animals in New Orleans and the missing tens of millions of dollars unaccounted for and the Louisiana Attorney General’s investigation and how they leave the local humane societies out in the cold. Their fundraising efforts DO NOT support struggling shelters like our very own Capital Area Humane Shelter. Then you might just speak with a little more sensibility on this issue. OHIO'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IS DEPENDS ON YOUR "YES" VOTE.

Check out the other thread on this issue. In a sense this is not about animals-its about our constitution and how we would be, for the first time, singling out an industry. They want it in the constitution b/c it will be nearly impossible to change. Think about that. Both good and bad changes will not be able to be done, b/c it is in the constitution.

I find it deplorable that big ag including agency people went running and sniveling to the legislature for this ballot initiative. Why don't they work together with HSUS and other groups? BTW, don't let the language "family farm" fool you. 1 million chickens and cattle is no family farm it is a concentrated animal feeding operation. Those behind issue 2 are truly repugnant.

well you know it has to go on the ballot here so more money is wasted maintaining the state's ranking as a top 5 effective tax place.

btw, those cheerleaders will graduate in 4 years with 4 year degrees. unlike the 6 years and more required here.

AAA wrote:

Thanks for being so slimy and wasting everyone's time and money Ohio Farm Bureau. This is one case where you should've learned something from our neighbors up north. I hope your membership doesn't figure out that what you're doing with their financial support is peddling half-truths.

Couldn't agree more. Big Ag has a strangle hold on the Dept. of Ag, and it is disgusting being witness to blatant lies barfed out of the proponents of issue 2. This not only endangers animals, it endangers our ground water, water aquifers, air quality, stream quality and so on. Shame on the farm bureau and big ag.

Issues 2 and 3 are about messing with the state constitution. That is not the place to set up a livestock board and it should not be used to set up casinos in specific cities. The agribusiness lobby, with their desire to pass Issue 2, wants to put up roadblocks, rather than work through important issues. Are egg factory owners afraid that Ohio citizens will one day rise up and rebel against the stink from their operations? Small farmers are more likely to care more about the environment (their own land, air, & water) than big farms, so I bet they would fare better, using Michigan's approach to deal with specific issues.

as a small pork farmer (30 sows) I support issue 2. After actually reading the issue I found that this board is designed to be neutral and allow a voice for everybody including citizens, farmers large and small, and humane societies.

I also found on the campaign website over 500 endorsements for this issue, the one that struck me as most important was the American Humane Association, and below that was listed officials from almost every local shelter in the state! Now why would anybody oppose an issue that is supported by both local humane societies and farmers?

Vote Yes on 2!

Lets just hope that Ohio's Ag community has as much money as HSUS!

I'm going to second what SilverBullet said. Dispatch editors, before you swallow the HSUS propaganda hook line and sinker, do your homework.

They have become expert at advancing their agenda in small increments rather than being honest. They appeal to emotions, frequently with distortions or out-right lies.

They are emphaticly NOT about animal welfare. They are about animal rights and putting an end to all animals' exploitation by us humans. No more lab animals for testing swine flu vacine. No more beef cattle. Free range chickens only.

The problem with what MI has done is that the precedent has been established. The next steps are to expand the regulations, frequently without any legislative process, to encompass more and more agricultural production.

And if the rules they've enacted so far are any indication, they actually make the animal's welfare worse, either because they've been concocted in ignorance, or if you're of a less forgiving nature, they're designed to have nasty "unintended consequences" on purpose.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) OPPOSES Issue 2. The AHA is not affiliated with them, and they have a different purpose than HSUS. From AHA's website: "The American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals."

Scott Kreaman wrote:

as a small pork farmer (30 sows) I support issue 2. After actually reading the issue I found that this board is designed to be neutral and allow a voice for everybody including citizens, farmers large and small, and humane societies.
I also found on the campaign website over 500 endorsements for this issue, the one that struck me as most important was the American Humane Association, and below that was listed officials from almost every local shelter in the state! Now why would anybody oppose an issue that is supported by both local humane societies and farmers?
Vote Yes on 2!

FYI...from hsus.org :
"The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest and most effective animal protection organization—backed by 11 million Americans, or one in every 28. Established in 1954, The HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals—a world that will also benefit people. We are America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect, as well as the most trusted voice extolling the human-animal bond."

"The 13-member board, to be appointed by the governor and legislative leaders, would have broad but largely undefined powers to set standards for livestock care and other agriculture-related issues."

Gotta love boards with vague powers and standards - a few years down the road the hot topics will be agri-board reform and corruption scandal

Scott Kreaman wrote:

as a small pork farmer (30 sows) I support issue 2. After actually reading the issue I found that this board is designed to be neutral and allow a voice for everybody including citizens, farmers large and small, and humane societies.
I also found on the campaign website over 500 endorsements for this issue, the one that struck me as most important was the American Humane Association, and below that was listed officials from almost every local shelter in the state! Now why would anybody oppose an issue that is supported by both local humane societies and farmers?
Vote Yes on 2!

No one has even heard of the "American Humane Association," which sounds like an industry front group, and the Ohio Farmers Union opposes Issue 2.

The powers that would be given to this politically charged panel are too broad and too undefined.

State Issue 2 will accomplish 2 goals we all believe in -- improve the care that animals receive and keep all Ohio farmers in business.

Issue 2 will do a lot more to help Ohio's economy than Issue 3. It will ensure consumers have many choices of food -- from fruits/grains to ham/eggs. Consumers "vote" every time they buy food. Farmers will grow what consumers are buying. Issue 2 will help keep our farmers in business -- paying taxes and spending money in their local communities.

Michigan farmers knew they didn't have the strength or the money to stand up to the giant HSUS negative agenda -- so they caved in.

Does HSUS spend their millions of dollars in research or education? No. Their approach is political activism and confusing the public with their "humane" name. HSUS gives only 3.5% to local shelters. They raise millions of dollars because donors mistakenly think their money is going to help shelters.

This article confirms my fear that Issue 2 is a big lobbyist scam cooked up by agri-business in Ohio. Evidently, the agri-business lobbies do not control the Michigan legislature to the same dramatic extent they control ours in Ohio. The Farm Bureau will control appointments to their pet board so there will never be a real chance for protections for farm animals. There are good and bad farmers, we don't need anything for the first, but the animals of the latter need real protections, not some lobbyist hoax. Especially when the latter is a corporation running a collossal sized operation that is more factory than farm. Nothing rammed through the legislature in 2 days was ever a good deal for the public. Issue 2 is a sham and I'll have no part of it, I'm voting NO.

Ohio Patriot wrote:

This article confirms my fear that Issue 2 is a big lobbyist scam cooked up by agri-business in Ohio. Evidently, the agri-business lobbies do not control the Michigan legislature to the same dramatic extent they control ours in Ohio. The Farm Bureau will control appointments to their pet board so there will never be a real chance for protections for farm animals. There are good and bad farmers, we don't need anything for the first, but the animals of the latter need real protections, not some lobbyist hoax. Especially when the latter is a corporation running a collossal sized operation that is more factory than farm. Nothing rammed through the legislature in 2 days was ever a good deal for the public. Issue 2 is a sham and I'll have no part of it, I'm voting NO.

Farm Bureau will not have control over this board, The Governer and the legislators will

Arleana wrote:

Issues 2 and 3 are about messing with the state constitution. That is not the place to set up a livestock board and it should not be used to set up casinos in specific cities. The agribusiness lobby, with their desire to pass Issue 2, wants to put up roadblocks, rather than work through important issues. Are egg factory owners afraid that Ohio citizens will one day rise up and rebel against the stink from their operations? Small farmers are more likely to care more about the environment (their own land, air, & water) than big farms, so I bet they would fare better, using Michigan's approach to deal with specific issues.

Arlene, do you farm? Did you ever consider that the housing of animals is better for the environment and for the chickens.Chickens will eat anything in their path including their own droppings or other animals droppings, they are also exposed to the elements along with the threat of preditors, at least when they are housed they are protected from these things and how would we be able to produce the amount of eggs used for all types of cooking and ingredients in the many things that we buy if chickens ran free. Large farms also own their land and have a huge investment. They already have to follow regulations set forth buy the Department of Agriculture. Ohio Agriculutre is a 93 billion dollar industry and create close to a million jobs in Ohio. Should we leave that fate in the hands of a lobbying group from DC who true agenda is to do away with meat consumption. Check out the Humane Society of US website very closley before you make any rash decisions why Ohio Agriculture is not in favor of sitting at the table with HSUS. VOTE YES FOR ISSUE 2.