By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Reverberations are being felt since Gov. Ted Strickland announced an agreement was reached that would concede some proposed changes to state animal care standards, if the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) would back down from its fall ballot initiative on livestock care.

That announcement came on June 30. Now, the Ohio Poultry Assoc. (OPA) has joined with the HSUS in agreeing on measures related to the care of egg-laying hens. The OPA was one of seven of the state’s leading farm organizations to reach an agreement with HSUS to avoid a costly and divisive measure proposed for the Nov. 10 ballot in Ohio.

The agreement includes a number of provisions related to the care of livestock and poultry in Ohio, and outlines terms for legislative support, housing research and temporary limits on how new egg farms in Ohio are permitted.

It also affirms mutual support for the work of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board by both the farm community and HSUS. “By working this accord, Ohio’s egg farmers can continue the excellent care of hens that has always been a top priority,” said Jim Chakeres, OPA executive vice president.

“In particular, we are pleased that instead of allowing political pressure to shape animal care policy, HSUS and egg farmers have agreed to further research into hen housing that will enable us to reassure consumers of our commitment of doing what’s right for our flocks, and to providing safe, affordable, Ohio-produced eggs for consumers.”

Specific elements of the agreement that apply to Ohio egg farms include:

•Ohio’s ag community and HSUS will jointly fund independent research on best management practices in hog and egg production, with specific focus on gestation crate and traditional cage housing.

•The Ohio Department of Agriculture will not grant any new permits for egg farms that use traditional battery cage housing. Ohio egg farms already using this cage housing may expand or modify existing permits under this agreement.

“This was an open, good-faith dialogue between two parties that have had significant differences,” Chakeres said. “However, when we put those aside, we were able to find enough common ground to come together in an agreement that reflects first and foremost our shared dedication to the well-being of farm animals, and our recognition that using comprehensive research and study can help ensure the best housing practices are used to ensure animal care, food safety and food affordability.”

Chakeres said Ohio’s farm community’s efforts in 2009 to pass State Issue 2 and establish the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board played a key role in the successful negotiation with HSUS.

“Without question one of the most important elements of this agreement is the understanding by the two parties that the board must be given time to work,” Chakeres said.

Egg producers in Ohio show mixed feelings about the compromise. Notably, some in the farm community feel betrayed by the agreement, and that Ohio’s agricultural leadership caved in to HSUS demands.

Ohio ranks number two in egg production in the nation, producing more than seven billion annually.