Ohio passes livestock standards board initiative

Following a campaign with strong support from the agricultural community led by the Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio's State Issue #2 passed with support from nearly two-thirds of voters.
The ballot initiative aims to establish a 13-member board for science-based standards on housing and management of livestock. The measure is widely regarded as a preemptive approach to block a California Proposition #2-style initiative that would effectively ban confined housing of livestock, including caged hens.
The board will be chaired by the Ohio agriculture commissioner, with elected officials appointing the other members. The board must be bipartisan.
In a widely publicized debate November 2, John Fisher, chief executive of the Ohio Farm Bureau, said his opponent, Wayne Pacelle, president of the humane society of the United States (HSUS), promoted a vegan agenda under the guise of welfare.
“We're all about the humane treatment of animals, just not treating them as humans,” Fisher said.
With the adoption of Ohio State Issue #2, the HSUS will have to consider a subsequent constitutional amendment or attempt to advance its program through legislation. The passage of California Proposition #2 by a wide margin in 2008 created momentum for the HSUS and resulted in appeasement by the legislature of Michigan, which recently adopted HSUS wording in an amendment eliminating confined livestock within 10 years.
The November 3 Ohio reversal of the trend established by HSUS represents a model for other state farm associations to oppose attempts to stop intensive livestock production.