I was a little slow yesterday getting the information posted concerning a state joint resolution being considered by the Ohio General Assembly, which was passed yesterday. Andy Vance has two postings (here and here) about the measure and his perspective concerning the possible regulation, which differs from that of Suzana Megles.
The measure as described by Andy Vance:
The joint resolutions propose a ballot measure that would create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, a 13-member state board that would determine and enforce guidelines for the care and well being of livestock and poultry in Ohio in order to protect food safety and locally produced food for Ohioans.
I see a couple of points worth considering, which will have to be considered by all of us considering this measure will be presented to us on the next ballot.
Initially, Miss Megles is spot on concerning the care of, and cruelty toward, livestock. I believe, as many Ohioans, that we are stewards of the earth and given domain to care for God’s creature by Him. Farming comes with a great responsibility to both the animals and consumers, and we must guard this responsibility.
On the flipside Mr. Vance is entirely correct in his assessment concerning the HSUS and PETA. Their agenda, to stop all animal husbandry practices, is masked behind the veil of animal cruelty protection. They are completely duplicitous.
This leads into the third aspect, the citizen’s board created by the resolution. Ms. Megles points out that if the resolution is passed it’s likely that big agro-business will have a seat on the board and will be able protect those farms that have in the past been guilty of such scandalous actions. She is right, and history is complete with volumes of examples of business/government collusion in which the citizen/consumer ends up being short changed or worst, injured.
Mr. Vance on the other hand views the board as preventive measure, which ensures Ohio citizens are able create the codes that will fairly govern the producer while protecting the consumer, which if led properly, can serve Ohio well. Further, Mr. Vance sees the role of the board as a filter to keep out the agenda driven groups like HSUS and PETA that will, if given a chance, drive us toward a vegan life style; which is true also.
The final concern discussed and acknowledged by Mr. Vance and also a commenter on his site recognizes the loss of private property protection and limited government aspect. Mr. Vance acknowledges that this creates another layer of government, but believes this measure is important to protect the Ohio citizen. At the moment I tend to disagree, however, Mr. Vance does raise some very prudent reasons, which may transcend this civil liberty. I would certainly feel a bit more comfortable with oversight from the state rather than the federal government, which is where PETA and HSUS will put their efforts. But on the other hand Ohio’s lawmakers during the last 20 or so years have done such dismal job legislating, which resulted in stifling atmosphere of maddening business regulations, our business sector has become the worst in the country. I certainly don’t want that for our agricultural sector.
Well the decision is squarely in the hands of the citizenry, and I can tell you I cannot see a clear path to take. And if I as small farmer can’t see the correct path how the heck is the person in Columbus or Cincinnati, who has no stake in this because 99 percent of their foodstuff comes from out of state, is going to make the right decision.
Maybe if this was one part of great plan to re-energize Ohio’s local food producers I would feel comfortable with the state regulating me, but knowing it’s not, I’m inclined to be extremely cautious. We will see.
Attached:
Proposes a ballot issue creating the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board
