The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Ohio voters approve livestock care board

Complete election results

4th Annual Holiday Song Contest taping tonight
12:17 p.m.
Clark County libraries to close for furloughs due to holidays, budget cuts
10:46 a.m.
Fatal crashes in Clark County down 70 percent
10:24 a.m.
Man reports ring stolen
8:27 a.m.
Congressman congratulates area students
7:59 a.m.
> More headlines

The Associated Press Updated 7:01 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

COLUMBUS — Ohio voters have delivered a victory to large farm operators, approving a new industry-dominated board to oversee livestock care.

With 45 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday, the issue was leading 65 percent to 35 percent.

The measure was designed to thwart efforts of animal rights groups such as the Humane Society of the United States that are intent on outlawing the close confinement of laying hens, breeding sows and veal calves.

Laws outlawing keeping those animals in cramped cages or crates have passed in seven states.

The ballot issue was viewed as a blueprint for other rural states to avoid such laws being imposed.

Ohio's livestock care board will have 13 members of both parties representing farmers, veterinarians, food safety experts, and consumers. It will have one animal rights advocate.

The Humane Society vowed Tuesday to mount a future Ohio ballot campaign instituting farm animal protections.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

We have laws to protect domestic animals and prosecute those who are cruel to them. Why should there be any exceptions towards the inhumane treatment of livestock? We have partaken in the consumption of God's creation of animals as a food source since biblical times. It is not expensive to excercise the humane treatment of livestock during their short lifespan. The raising of livestock is a business, but it need not be an inhumane one. Enjoy a profit, but be compassionate. Thanks.

Slightly Right
7:55 PM, 11/4/2009

REPORT ABUSE

It is an unfortunate day for the small farmer focused on sustainable naturally grown methods. I have run a small organic farm with my spouse for 4 years and are very concerned about the implications of this issue. Hopefully this new board will not regulate us out of business.

small sustainable farmer
2:35 PM, 11/4/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Farmers should not be allowed to keep a pig in a cage to where they cant even turn around or move an inch either way. That is crap and we can do better than that! If people seen how these animals were actually cages it would have passed by an even wider margin as it should of.

Hank
1:10 PM, 11/4/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Too bad the 'yes' voters did not take the time to talk to the small farmers that this will hurt a great deal.

Mike
12:57 PM, 11/4/2009

REPORT ABUSE

God have mercy on the farm animals. Isn't it only right to give them some quality of life instead of a confined space that they can't even move around in. Oh but wait, that takes compassion and money. Agribusiness can't do that. It is a shame the opposition to this issue did not have more financing and support behind them. Humane Society don't give up!! If people really knew what was going on in some of these so-called family farms they would not like it. You need to get the word out.

Big Mistake
12:12 PM, 11/4/2009

REPORT ABUSE

There are 16 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.