An important issue regarding Ohio’s number one industry will be on the ballot Nov. 3.
Issue 2, which involves the $93 billion agriculture industry, would amend the state Constitution to create an appointed board to have unchecked power over any and all animal agriculture relations in Ohio.
‘Issue 2 [if passed] would have a 13-member board comprised of experts to regulate how livestock [in Ohio] would be handled,’ said Beth Vanderkooi, an employee of the Ohio Farm Bureau.
That board would consist of three family farm owners, two veterinarians, one food safety representative, one local Humane Society representative, two state farming organizations, two Ohio consumers, the dean of the agriculture department at an Ohio college or university and the director of the department of agriculture and each member would be approved by the governor, according to Vanderkooi.
This legislation was proposed due to the Humane Society of the United States, who caught the attention of Ohio farmers when they began a statewide campaign to establish ‘new and more restrictive rules for handling livestock and poultry,’ according to Ohio.com.
Vanderkooi cited the state of California as an example of ‘out–of-state activist,’ like the Humane Society coming in and regulating their agriculture industry. She said the regulations they put in place in California forced their chicken industry to Mexico.
‘We’re welcome to have a debate but not with someone who isn’t from Ohio; some of them don’t even eat meat,’ Vanderkooi said. ‘They say ‘Farmers, you can’t do this.”
However proponents against the issue, like Mike Zickar, chair of the Wood County Democrats, believes the state of Ohio should negotiate with outside entities like the Humane Society of the United States. He attributes Michigan as an example of how Ohio could compromise with the society to benefit everyone involved.
However, Vaderkooi believes it doesn’t look good for the agriculture industry in Ohio to be regulated by people who don’t know the farming industry, but should be regulated by farmers because ‘they know what they are doing.’
According to the official ballot language, the board would ‘prescribe standards for animal care and well-being that endeavor to maintain food safety, encourage locally grown and raised food and protect Ohio farms and families.’
Ohio Farm Bureau and the Ohio Pork Producers have spent millions of dollars to try and convince voters Issue 2 will create safe, local food.
‘Issue 2 assures a safe, locally grown food supply,’ Vanderkooi said. ‘It would reinforce consumer confidence.’
Rachel Dickenson, a junior political science major, sides with Vanderkooi’s viewpoint.
‘I’m voting yes because it will protect Ohio’s food supply, provide Ohioans with safe and locally grown products and benefits farmers, their families and our own families as well,’ she said.
Groups like the Ohio Farm Bureau and the Ohio Pork Producers claim farmers fear substantially higher costs to operate, and higher food prices in grocery stores if outside groups regulate their agriculture industry.
However, Zickar said the Wood County Democrats endorsed a no vote against Issue 2 due to local farmers who protested the issue.
‘Our committee felt this was an assault on family farms and a way to protect factory farms,’ Zicker said. ‘That is why we voted anonymously for the no vote.’
Zicker said he believes the definition of the board is unclear and he feels there are already mechanisms and structures in place to take care of the issue the board would address.
Vanderkooi said the most important component of the issue is to protect Ohio’s family farms and Issue 2 is a step in that direction.
‘We need to do what is reasonable to Ohio farmers,’ she said.
Lifetime farmer Phil Bresler believes this board is to protect mega farms and not small local farmers.
‘The ordinary farmer takes care of their livestock,’ he said. ‘Farmers have been taking care of their livestock, making them comfortable so they can produce and perform.’
Editor’s Note: Campus Editor Becky Tener contributed to this article.
ISSUE 2
The Issue: Issue 2 would require the state to create the Livestock Care Standards Board to prescribe standards for animal care and well-being to maintain food safety, encourage locally grown and raised food and protect Ohio farms and families.
The Board: The Livestock Care Standards Board would be comprised of 13 members throughout the agriculture industry, including farming organizations, food safety experts, veterinarians, consumers and the head of the agriculture department at an Ohio college or university. A yes vote means the amendment would pass and a Livestock Care Standards Board would be instigated. A no vote means a Livestock Care Standards Board wouldn’t be instigated.
