Ohio legislators from both political parties and representatives of the state’s agriculture organizations have announced a proposal to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board (the Board) that would be created through a ballot measure to be placed before Ohio voters on the November 2009 ballot.

The 13-member Board will set forth fair, effective regulation of livestock and poultry farms to ensure excellent animal care, while also protecting our food supply and ensuring the availability of local food. Among its responsibilities are the consideration of agricultural best management practices, biosecurity on livestock farms, animal disease prevention, food safety and food production economics.    

“ODPA applauds the introduction of the ballot measure to establish the Ohio Livestock Card Standards Board because it echoes our commitment to the health and well-being of our animals, and ultimately the safety and quality of the foods we produce,” says Thomas J. Fleming, dairy farmer from Allen County and chair of the ODPA board.

ODPA also supports this measure because livestock practices will be in the hands of Ohio animal care experts and not led by state interest groups like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). 

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