Friday, September 11, 2009

Vote Yes for Issue 2!

September 9, 2009

Ohio’s Country Journal

http://www.ocj.com/article/154/twenty-reasons-to-vote-yes-for-state-issue-2.html 

COLUMBUS -- The Ohioans for Livestock Care Political Action Committee, proponents of State Issue 2 to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, today released 20 reasons to vote YES for Issue 2 this fall.

The reasons include the following:

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 because it is Ohio's plan to ensure excellent care for animals and provide for a safe, high quality, locally grown food supply. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 because the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board will bring the best Ohio experts in animal care and food production together on one Board to set animal care policy for our state. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 to assure that Ohio families have a safe, reasonably priced, locally grown food supply and avoid making Ohio families dependent on foreign food supplies. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 to reinforce consumer confidence in Ohio-raised food. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 in order to maintain the strength and viability of Ohio agriculture -- the number one contributor to our state's economy. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 to sustain Ohio's family farms for generations to come. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 to keep decisions about Ohio livestock and poultry care where they belong--in Ohio. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 because it is the right choice for Ohio consumers, Ohio farmers and for Ohio's economic vitality. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 because it is important that changes suggested for the entire agriculture community be carefully considered by Ohio experts and supported by science, fact and data. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 because Ohio's agriculture community, along with other stakeholders in food production and elected leaders of both political parties believe the best regulations for animal care will be achieved when all interested parties join together to develop a framework that is both effective and practical for consumers and for farmers. The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board is the right approach to reach that goal. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board will set standards for livestock and poultry care that take into account issues of: best farm management practices, animal morbidity and mortality data, food safety and local availability and affordability of food. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board will be made up of 13 Ohioans. These individuals will apply their broad expertise in making decisions affecting Ohio animal agriculture. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. The director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture will serve as chair of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. Ten members will be appointed to the Board by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. These 10 members shall be Ohio residents and shall include the following: a family farmer, a veterinarian who is licensed in the state, the state veterinarian at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, a food safety expert, a representative of a county humane society that is organized under state law, two members from statewide farm organizations, the dean of an Ohio agriculture college or university and two members of the public representing Ohio consumers. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 because it allows the people of Ohio to vote for an Ohio solution to animal care issues -- one that puts the decision making for livestock care and local food production in the hands of Ohio consumers and Ohio experts in farming, animal well-being and food safety. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. Because issues addressed on Issue 2 are top-of-mind with Ohio consumers, proponents agreed that an Ohio solution should be directly voted upon, rather than enacted by the legislature. In this way, state officials will know there is a broad public support for Ohio's collaborative approach to resolving animal care issues. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. Healthy animals are a prerequisite to producing safe, wholesome, high-quality foods. In addition to the moral imperative of treating animals humanely, Ohio livestock and poultry farmers have long known that disease, stress and injury to animals result in loss of product and lower profits. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. Livestock farmers understand the complex responsibilities of today's modern livestock farming and chief among them is ensuring the best animal care possible. Their livelihood will always depend on healthy animals in order to provide quality, safe food for consumers. That's why Ohio farmers are affirming this commitment by supporting a statewide regulatory framework for livestock and poultry care. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. Ohio farmers strongly support the proposal to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board because it will ensure animal care is top of mind for all farmers and keep regulatory control of Ohio's farms where it belongs--in the state. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. Ohio consumers and farmers oppose decisions that are not made by qualified experts and that do not put all the facts, science and data on the table. 

VOTE YES for ISSUE 2. Through Issue 2 farmers are taking an unprecedented lead in the nation. Being responsive to the consumers they serve, Ohio farmers are taking a proactive stance to provide for informed, responsible decisions about food and animal care issues in the state through creation of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. 

To learn more about the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, to volunteer on the Issue 2 campaign, to donate, or to talk with a local farmer, please visit www.ohiolivestockcare.com.

DISCLAIMER: Paid for by Ohioans for Livestock Care Political Action Committee,
John C. Fisher, Treasurer, 280 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215
www.OhioLivestockCare.com

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