FYI - Read the entire gist of what's happening in Ohio at this link. Below is a letter from Food and Water Watch organization explaining the precedent this will set for other states to follow suit - potentially allowing large companies like Monsanto, and other large agribusiness to drive out small farmers.
Anna
http://wholefoodusa.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/ohios-coming-farm-animal-care-standards/
*FROM: www.FoodandWaterWatch.org*_
October 1, 2009
Ohio could become the first state to have corporate agribusiness acting
as judge, jury and executioner for all animal agriculture rules and
regulations. Who do you think their rules will favor? Safe, local,
sustainable agriculture, or the more than 200 factory farms already in
the state? We’re hoping not to find out. That’s why Food & Water Watch
is working on behalf of our 5,000 Ohio supporters to Oppose Issue 2. Can
you help us defeat Issue 2 in Ohio?
In the most ambitious power grab we’ve ever seen, corporate agribusiness proponents are trying to write themselves into the Ohio constitution.
Technically the product of the Ohio General Assembly, the ballot issue
is heavily backed by groups representing major agribusiness interests,
including the Ohio Farm Bureau, the Ohio Pork Producers Council, and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association. While masquerading as an attempt to
improve food safety and animal welfare, Issue 2 would give a board of
political appointees unchecked power to decide any and all regulations
related to animal agriculture. The board could make decisions that would
radically shift policy in any direction and would not require any public
input process. This could include decisions on issues like the use of
antibiotics and growth hormones, genetically engineered animals, cloned
animals, animal ID and traceability, and factory farm zoning regulations.
The proponents of Issue 2 literally will be the foxes guarding the
henhouse if Issue 2 passes, and they’re running a multi-million dollar
campaign to make sure this happens. Worse yet, their slick campaign
tries to trick voters into thinking that Issue 2 will support safe,
local food from small farmers. We need you to help us get the truth out
about Issue 2 and stop this greedy power grab in the Ohio Constitution.
Help us spread the word about Issue 2 and Vote NO on November 3rd!
Thanks for taking action,
Sarah Alexander, Senior Organizer
Food & Water Watch
goodfood(at)fwwatch.org
