New “No on 2” Ad Unveiled by Ohioans for Humane Farms

Ohioans for Humane Farms—a state ballot committee sponsored by The Humane Society of the United States—released a new ad today urging Ohioans to vote no on Issue 2 this Election Day. Issue 2 would amend the Ohio state constitution to create an industry-dominated livestock board with virtually unchecked power and likely do nothing to help farm animals.

The ad points out that agribusiness interests are trying to change the Ohio constitution so they can continue cruel and inhumane practices on factory farms—confining animals in tiny cages and crates so small they can't even turn around. While masquerading as an attempt to improve food safety and animal welfare, Issue 2 does not call for a single agricultural reform, but gives constitutional authority to a small group of largely industry-oriented political appointees to dictate agricultural policy in Ohio. No other state has such a set-up.

"Issue 2 is a stunt by agribusiness to thwart a reform effort to halt the most inhumane confinement practices on factory farms," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "We encourage people who care about animals and family farms not to be fooled by Issue 2 and vote no on this effort to divert attention from Ohio's serious agricultural issues."

 Issue 2 is opposed by the Capital Area Humane Society, the Cleveland Animal Protective League, the Toledo Area Humane Society, the Geauga Humane Society, The Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary, the ASPCA, the Animal Welfare Institute, the Ohio Farmers Union, the Ohio League of Women Voters, the Ohio Sierra Club, the Ohio Environmental Stewardship Alliance, the Columbus Dispatch, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Toledo Blade and Dayton Daily News.

In Ohio, tens of millions of egg-laying hens, veal calves and breeding pigs are confined in crates and cages where they can barely move an inch, many of them unable even to turn around or stretch their limbs. Despite the humane community's repeated attempts to engage the Ohio Farm Bureau in serious dialogue, Big Ag is promoting Issue 2 in an attempt to ward off efforts to improve animal welfare and food safety in Ohio.

The ad is available at http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/ballot_initiatives/ohio_issue_2.html.

Facts:

• The HSUS has more than 400,000 supporters in Ohio.
• This month, Michigan became the seventh state to phase out gestation crates, the fifth to ban veal crates, and the second to ban battery cages. Arizona, California and Florida have passed similar measures through ballot initiatives, and Maine, Colorado and Oregon have passed related laws in their state legislatures.
• Issue 2 requires no changes in the inhumane confinement of Ohio's farm animals. If Issue 2 passes this November, The HSUS is prepared to launch a statewide ballot initiative campaign to ensure that animals on Ohio's factory farms have enough room to turn around and extend their limbs.
• Major national retailers like Wendy's, Safeway, Burger King, Red Robin, Carl's Jr. and Hardees are increasingly phasing in crate-free and cage-free products due to consumer demand for better animal welfare.
• Scientific research confirms the welfare problems with battery cages, veal crates and gestation crates.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.

Paid for by The Humane Society of the United States
Janet D. Frake, Secretary, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20037