::: Ask the Mahoning Valley Farmer :::

Answers From Your Friendly Farmer

Question: What is happening since Issue 2 on livestock care standards passed in Ohio in 2009?

Mahoning Valley Farmer Answer:
In November, 2009, the voters of Ohio approved Issue 2, mandating the state to create a Board that will set standards for livestock and poultry care that take into account issues of food safety, local availability and affordability of food, and best farm management practices for animal well-being. The standards must consider the context of their impact on animal health, farm bio-security, disease prevention, food safety, and food production. The process to form the Board is currently underway and applications for the positions are being accepted and reviewed.

The Board is meant to be chaired by the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture and will be made up of 13 Ohioans, including:

• The Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture
• Three family farmers
• Two veterinarians (one of whom is a state veterinarian)
• A food safety expert
• A representative of a local humane society
• Two members representing statewide farm organizations
• The dean of an Ohio agriculture college
• Two members representing Ohio consumers

Applications for those who would like to be considered to be appointed on the Livestock Standards Board are available on Governor Strickland's web site. You can also refer to the Ohio Farm Bureau's "The Toolbox: Livestock Care" newsletter that provides the latest updates on Issue 2. This is the online copy of the new e-newsletter that you can subscribe to receive as an email.

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