Letter to the Editor – No on Issue 2 – “WE THE PEOPLE” vs. The board
In our community I have seen numerous signs in support of Issue 2 and question if the supporters understand why this is an abuse of Ohio’s constitution and our liberty. Issue 2 is an industry attempt to change the Ohio state Constitution, establishing a “Livestock Care Standards Board” that would have unchecked power to establish standards for livestock and poultry. The issue is backed by major agri-business interests seeking protection from national animal groups seeking to phase out problematic animal production practices like battery cages for chickens. A website (www.ncrlc.com) addressing Christian social teaching on food and farming has numerous documents* regarding animal production practices to help people discern whether or not certain practices are problematic to animal, environmental and human health. The health of the human family is the highest priority and most definitely a life issue on all levels - spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical.
*1. Addressing the Impacts of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations 2. A Moratorium on Large-scale Livestock and Poultry Confinement Facilities 3. The Pew Commission Report on Industrial Farm Animal Production 4.The Untold Costs of Confined Animal Feeding Operations.
The newly proposed board would give a dozen political appointees broad and unchecked power to decide rules on animal welfare, potentially reshaping regulations on how animals are raised, tracked and traced. Currently, animal agriculture is regulated by the Ohio Dept of Agriculture, which makes rules through a formal process that requires public input. This new board would make decisions independent of public input, with no review or evaluation, no forum for public comment, and no ability to appeal the decision. The board’s decision is final!!
The business practices of industrialized corporate farms, agri-businesses, are under more and more public scrutiny, especially regarding the adverse impact on the environment, as well as animal and ultimately human health. Many center on confinement facilities where thousands of animals are confined and crowded into small cages. An example is the use of cramped battery cages which do not provide hens with sufficient space to stand, walk, flap their wings, etc. In November of 2008, Californians (“WE THE PEOPLE” not a board) passed Proposition 2, the Standards for Confining Farm Animals, which requires by January 2015 that certain farm animals be confined only in ways that allow them to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely. Florida, Arizona, Oregon and Colorado have passed similar legislation. Many factory farms are operated as “family farms”. Ohio has 200 factory farms and that number could increase if an industry-led board decides to ease regulations on animal production. The message is clear….the consumer is discovering the real costs of cheap food (Time Magazine Aug 31,2009) and it is dangerous to use government to silence “WE THE PEOPLE”. If you cast a vote to silence the people you too one day will surely be silenced!!!
Abusing the Ohio Constitution to include the board would set a dangerous precedent by creating a permanent place for special interests in the constitution. The board would have unchecked power over all Ohio policies related to animals in agriculture and could shift livestock standards in any direction. Agricultural policy should be determined through an open, democratic process, not through a politically appointed board heavily influenced by big industry. 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. Ohioans should reject this proposal to safeguard Ohio’s constitution and keep Agri-business accountable. If we abuse the Constitution, we become part of our nation’s problem, not the solution. For more info www.ohioact.org.
Dan Kremer Yorkshire,OH Oct. 12, 2009 Dan@eatfoodforlife.com
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