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Controversial proposal is battle over who regulates agriculture industry

Tim Weaver, president of Weaver Bros. Inc., shows his support for Issue 2 inside the egg-processing area at the Heartland Quality Egg Farm in Logan County. The ballot issue would create a state Livestock Care Standards Board to make decisions on animal welfare issues. Ralph Rindler, who runs a large Mercer County egg farm, also backs Issue 2. Staff photos by Jim Witmer

Jim Witmer Tim Weaver, president of Weaver Bros. Inc., shows his support for Issue 2 inside the egg-processing area at the Heartland Quality Egg Farm in Logan County. The ballot issue would create a state Livestock Care Standards Board to make decisions on animal welfare issues. Ralph Rindler, who runs a large Mercer County egg farm, also backs Issue 2. Staff photos by Jim Witmer

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$Chickens feed at Weaver Bros. Inc.'s Heartland Quality Egg Farm, which houses 1.6 million chickens. Weaver Bros. recently spent $12.5 million to build new hen houses, giving each chicken 67 square inches of space.\uFEFF$

Jim Witmer Chickens feed at Weaver Bros. Inc.'s Heartland Quality Egg Farm, which houses 1.6 million chickens. Weaver Bros. recently spent $12.5 million to build new hen houses, giving each chicken 67 square inches of space.\uFEFF

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By Ben Sutherly, Staff Writer 1:39 AM Sunday, October 25, 2009

In August, Ralph Rindler and his family applied for state permits to house 2.5 million hens at their Mercer County egg farm, up from the current 1.3 million.

That would make Rindler Poultry LLC the second largest egg farm in the nation’s second largest egg-producing state.

But the proposed expansion comes at a risky time.

The Humane Society of the United States recently turned its attention to Ohio after spearheading successful ballot initiatives that will phase out or modify some controversial housing practices for livestock and poultry in other states, including confinement of hens in cages.

That’s how hens are housed at Rindler Poultry and virtually all of Ohio’s other commercial egg farms, including those of Weaver Bros. Inc. in Darke and Logan counties.

Rindler is supporting what many farmers consider to be a more palatable alternative: Issue 2, a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a Livestock Care Standards Board.

It would prescribe standards for animal care.

Passing Issue 2 “gives us the security that the people of Ohio support agriculture so we can continue what our family loves to do, and that is to farm,” Rindler says, noting his egg operation employs 50 and indirectly provides work for hundreds more.

Opponents of Issue 2 argue otherwise.

They say lobbyists backed by large-scale livestock and poultry interests have gone “nuclear” in convincing legislators to ask voters Nov. 3 to amend the state constitution.

“Issue 2 will do nothing to stop (the Humane Society of the United States) from passing its own constitutional amendment,” predicted Sarah Alexander, spokeswoman for Ohio Against Constitutional Takeover.

While the Ohio Constitution authorizes a state board of education, boards typically aren’t prescribed in that document, said Charles Hallinan, a University of Dayton law professor and constitutional scholar.

“It’s an oddity,” Hallinan said of Issue 2. “It is unusual enough that it would give me pause to include it in the constitution.”

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I don't want this passed. I saw the ads. They were heartwarming. They told of making our food safer. I have a small child that will soon be eating solids and being subjected to unsafe foods.

I received literature only a few days ago from the ASPCA telling me the harm Issue 2 will do. Why in the world would the ASPCA and The Humane Society wait so long in bringing this to light? I am sure there are others out there that were unaware of the lies!

Tammy McKinzie
9:15 PM, 11/3/2009

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There are other boards and commissions set up in the state constitution including a board to oversee the state pension fund and the Ohio Lottery. If the lottery can have a board established by the constitution don't you think something important such as safe, local and affordable food for all Ohioans should be protected by the constitution also?

John
10:15 AM, 10/26/2009

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A number of people have commented that they don't want people from outside the state, (i.e., HSUS), telling them how to raise their animals. Most large agribusiness companies, which are the ones supporting this change in Ohio's constitution, are also not resident in the state.
The question is, who pays and who benefits? The clear beneficiaries are the very large companies that are after maximum profits at the expense of our health and environment.
We pay through loss of our democracy.

Nancy Sullivan
9:56 AM, 10/26/2009

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everyone needs to read the actual language of issue 2. it's very short & easy to understand. we don't need more regulation. this board doesn't even represent the farmer, with only 3 seats, it represents the INDUSTRY. to boot, the laws or regulations haven't been established. so we don't even know the rules of the game! and they expect us to vote for this? small farmers or organic farmers have no representation on this board either. everyone should be scared of this thing.

David Bair
9:26 AM, 10/26/2009

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My grandmother who raised her own livestock told me over fifty years ago when an animal has not been bled properly at the time it's butchered you'll find black solids of blood on the bone when it's cooked. I still see this in all forms of meat. There was a controversy about electrocuting chickens en-mass when I was young because it was cheaper than cutting the heads off. Are there butchering method standards as well as living conditions today? I'm far more worried about industry standards now.

Joan
5:51 AM, 10/26/2009

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