Michigan agriculture caved in. But Ohio fought, and won, a ballot initiative against the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) which is trying, state by state, to get governments to ban sow crates and laying hen cages.
Rather than having unfriendly regulations shoved down their throats, Ohio livestock agriculture took a page from the HSUS play book and fast-tracked a question attached to a gubernatorial ballot this fall. The “yes” vote in early November imposed an animal care board with set representation including a number of farmers, the dean of the agriculture college, and a veterinarian.
The board will have powers to set standards for animal care and health, food safety and environmental issues.