Ohio Governor Ted Strickland supports a comprehensive animal care amendment for the November 2009 ballot in Ohio. Along with Governor Strickland, the proposed amendment is supported jointly by House Speaker Armond Budish, Senate President Bill Harris, House Minority Leader Bill Batchelder, and Senate Minority Leader Capri Carafo. He’s joined in support by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, state Pork Producers Council and Poultry Association.

Last week the Ohio Senate introduced the joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Ohio Constitution to address the care of livestock. The Ohio Senate has unanimously approved the resolution that would allow voters to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, which would provide oversight of how farm animals are raised. The Ohio House of Representatives voted 84-13 in favor of the livestock animal care bill. If the final version is approved, the bill will be placed on the November ballot for Ohio voters to decide the outcome.

A quick summary of the proposed constitutional amendment:

1. Creates a thirteen member Livestock Care Standards Board consisting of the Director of the Department of Agriculture, ten members appointed by the Governor, a family farmer appointed by the Speaker of the House and a family farmer appointed by the President of the Senate.

2. Grants the Livestock Care Standards Board the authority to establish and implement standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry.

3. Directs the Board to "endeavor to maintain food safety, encourage locally grown and raised food, and protect Ohio farms and families" and to consider factors such as agricultural best management practices for care and well-being, biosecurity, disease prevention, animal morbidity and mortality data, food safety practices, and the protection of local, affordable food supplies for consumers.

4. Grants the Ohio Department of Agriculture authority for overseeing and enforcing the standards established by the Board

The bill is not without its controversy. The head of the Washington-based Humane Society of the United States said such a board would give farmers too much leeway and wouldn't guarantee a ban of crates that are used to confine breeding sows or cages that are too small for laying hens. "The board," Strickland said in a statement, "will ensure that Ohioans continue to have access to a safe and affordable local food supply and will make our state a national leader in the level of animal care and responsibility."

With all the controversy in the news on food safety and all the recalls in the news, a bill to guarantee the safety of the food we purchase for our families consumption, in my opinion is long overdue.

It is very important to read all sides of the controversy and educate yourself on exactly what this bill constitutes and how it benefits you, your family, and Ohio’s food safety. Then vote as you see fit. Either way I cannot stress enough, this will affect all of us and our food supply, so please vote vote vote.