Issue 2: Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board to Establish and Implement Standards of Care for Livestock and Poultry

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League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund

State of Ohio

November 3, 2009 Election

Issue 2
Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board to Establish and Implement Standards of Care for Livestock and Poultry
State of Ohio
Constitutional Amendment - Majority Approval Required

See Also: Index of all Issues

Information shown below: Summary | Arguments |

Proposed by Joint Resolution of the General Assembly To adopt Section 1 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the State of Ohio This proposed amendment would:
1. Require the state to create the Livestock Care Standards Board to prescribe standards for animal care and well-being that endeavor to maintain food safety, encourage locally grown and raised food, and protect Ohio farms and families.
2. Authorize this bipartisan board of thirteen members to consider factors that include, but are not limited to, agricultural best management practices for such care and well-being, biosecurity, disease prevention, animal morbidity and mortality data, food safety practices, and the protection of local, affordable food supplies for consumers when establishing and implementing standards.
3. Provide that the board shall be comprised of thirteen Ohio residents including representatives of Ohio family farms, farming organizations, food safety experts, veterinarians, consumers, the dean of the agriculture department at an Ohio college or university and a county humane society representative.
4. Authorize the Ohio department that regulates agriculture to administer and enforce the standards established by the board, subject to the authority of the General Assembly. If adopted, this amendment shall take effect immediately. A "YES" vote means approval of the amendment. A "NO" vote means disapproval of the amendment. A majority YES vote is required for the amendment to be adopted. SHALL THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT BE APPROVED? YES NO

Summary Prepared by League of Women Voters of Ohio:
Explanation: This proposed constitutional amendment would create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board for the purpose of establishing standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in Ohio. The bipartisan board would consist of thirteen members:

The director of the state department that regulates agriculture
Ten members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, including:
One member representing family farms
One member knowledgeable about food safety
Two members representing statewide organizations that represent farmers
One member who is a veterinarian
The State Veterinarian in the state department that regulates agriculture
The dean of the agriculture department of a college or university in Ohio
Two members of the public representing Ohio consumers
One member representing a county humane society
One member appointed by the Speaker of the House who shall be a family farmer
One member appointed by the President of the Senate who shall be a family farmer
The Board would have authority to establish standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in Ohio, subject only to the authority of the General Assembly.

Official Information

Secretary of State

Ohio Issues Report (PDF) - State Issue Ballot Information for the November 2009 Election as prepared by the Ohio Ballot Board.

Nonpartisan Information

League of Women Voters

What is a initiative or a referendum?

News and Analysis

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About this race

General Links

Safe Local Ohio Food (Ohioans for Livestock Care): A website in favor of Issue 2
Ohio Against Constitutional Takeover: A website against Issue 2

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Arguments For Issue 2 Arguments Against Issue 2

Proponents of the proposed amendment argue:
1. The board represents a balance of interests.
2. The board would establish standards governing the care and well being of livestock and poultry in Ohio.
3. Ohioans can have greater confidence in the safety of locally produced food.

Opponents of the proposed amendment argue:
1. The board should be created by statute rather than by amendment to the Ohio Constitution.
2. Creating another regulatory board utilizes revenues best spent on basic services to Ohioans.
3. The amendment could prevent certain animal care reform proposed by national animal rights organizations.

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Created: December 29, 2009 12:12 PST
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Arguments For Issue 2	Arguments Against Issue 2
Proponents of the proposed amendment argue: 1. The board represents a balance of interests. 2. The board would establish standards governing the care and well being of livestock and poultry in Ohio. 3. Ohioans can have greater confidence in the safety of locally produced food.	Opponents of the proposed amendment argue: 1. The board should be created by statute rather than by amendment to the Ohio Constitution. 2. Creating another regulatory board utilizes revenues best spent on basic services to Ohioans. 3. The amendment could prevent certain animal care reform proposed by national animal rights organizations.