A Power Grab by Large Agribusiness

Vote NO on Ohio Issue 2 to stop the corporations who operate huge factory farms from writing the regulations which control their operations. They are asking us to vote for this constitutional amendment under the guise of "food safety," while in effect it would become a classic case of the fox guarding the hen house.

To make matters worse, Issue 2, if passed, would become a permanent change to the Ohio Constitution. It would create the Livestock Care Standards Board which would have unlimited power to set standards for the care of livestock and poultry.

As we already know, agribusiness favors huge factory farms in which animals are raised in cages--a situation that fosters the spread of diseases which in turn requires the over-use of antibiotics--leading to resistance in animals and humans. In addition, the large amounts of manure generated pollute the water and the air. And, of course, the smell is another matter.

Small farmers as well as environmental groups are opposing this issue while the large agribusiness corporations are spending tons of money to assure its passage.

Even if one has no problem with factory farms, this is something that should not be imbedded in our State of Ohio Constitution.