It appears that Ohio voters have approved Issue 2 which sets up a 13-member Livestock Care Standards Board that would include Ohio's agriculture director, family farmers, veterinarians, a representative from a local humane society, and consumers. With 45% of precincts reporting 65% of voters had voted in favor of the board.
Issue 2 is a proactive strategy designed to prevent out-of-state activist groups from dictating how food is produced in Ohio. Last fall, the Humane Society of the United States was successful in pushing through California's Proposition 2, after a multi-million dollar lobbying campaign. This time, Ohio's agriculture leaders have made the first move in what proponents call an attempt to prevent thousands of farmers from going out of business while preserving food safety and affordability.
The ballot issue was viewed as a blueprint for other rural states to avoid such laws being imposed. HSUS vowed to mount a future Ohio ballot campaign instituting animal regulations.
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