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| Letter writer will vote against Ohio’s Issue 2 |
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Although I risk be ostracized by the community I love, grew up in, and work in, it’s time for me to speak up about Issue 2. My hat is off to the Ohio Farm Bureau. They have done such a tremendous job of pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes.
With an underlying motive and great advertising, using the “family farmer” as their decoy, the Farm Bureau is convincing everyone that Issue 2 is about keeping the “family” in farms, promoting “safe and local food” and defeating the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Farm Bureau does not represent the Ohio farmer, not the one the consumer thinks or the ones Farm Bureau portrays in their ads. Farm Bureau represents the ag industry, or industrial agriculture. If you don’t believe me, look at the actual language in Issue 2.
Who gets to select the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board (OLCSB)? It’s the governor. He appoints 10 members out of a total of 13 to the OLCSB. The OLCSB consists of the following: one food safety rep, one veterinarian (the State Veterinarian), one ag college dean, two reps from farm organizations, one “family” farmer (all heavily influenced by industrial ag), one rep from a local humane society (not HSUS), two members representing consumers (alliances suspect). Two other “family” farmers (influence by industrial ag likely) will be appointed one each by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. The last seat goes to the Ohio Department of Agriculture Director (influenced by government-supported industrial ag).
The OLCSB answers only to the General Assembly. The Department of Agriculture will administer and enforce all laws. The OLCSB will be responsible for determining best management practices for bio-security, disease prevention, food-safety practices, animal care, and local, affordable food supplies for consumers. Local meaning within the state, not your local farmers’ market.
Beginning to think something smells fishy? Absolutely! Almost everyone on the OLCSB will represent industrial agriculture. If Issue 2 was about letting the farmer decide what’s best, why does the farmer only occupy three seats? This is clearly about preserving industrial ag.
Not one single appointment to the OLCSB will represent sustainable or organic agriculture. The OLCSB could take pasture away from sustainable or organic livestock producers because in their minds, confinement is a best management practice. There aren’t any provisions for organics in the language of Issue 2.
Have you ever purchased anything from a farmers market? Or gotten something directly off the farm? Issue 2 could take all these options away for you – the consumer – if it passes.
I can’t believe so many farmers are willing to give away more of their freedoms to the government. Farm Bureau has everyone running scared of HSUS, and HSUS hasn’t even come to town to fight, yet. Once we give up our freedoms, it’ll be awfully hard to get them back.
Farmers, we must stand up for ourselves!
Vegetarians and animal rights activists already vote on animal welfare by strictly adhering to their vegan diet. Why do they think they should get to vote away my freedoms as a farmer?
I challenge everyone to vote with their wallet when they go to the grocery. If you want food from animals treated more humanely, then stop buying food from industrial agriculture. Put industrial agriculture out of business, not your local farmer.
Vote “No” on Issue 2 this year, then defeat HSUS next year!
Miami County, Ohio farmer
David Bair
Troy, Ohio |
| 10/21/2009 |
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