Representatives of the Ohio Pork Producers Council, along with representatives from other Ohio livestock and poultry industry groups met with representatives of the Humane Society of the United States this week in Columbus. HSUS asked the groups to have dialogue on the elimination of gestation stalls for sows, veal crates and cages for layers through legislation in an effort to avoid a ballot initiative in Ohio. "
At the request of the Humane Society of the United States and with the initial involvement of the Ohio Farm Bureau, I attended a meeting (Tuesday) with representatives of HSUS on behalf of my members," said Dick Isler, executive vice president of the Ohio Pork Producers Council. "The Ohio Pork Producers Council’s participation in this meeting was solely to listen to HSUS.Ohio hog farmers work every day to ensure the well-being of their animals and provide a safe, nutritious, affordable food supply for consumers."
In an apparent effort to extend the success of California’s Proposition 2 ballot passed last year in that state, HSUS is attempting to advance the group’s agenda in other agricultural states. On Tuesday, Feb. 10, a bill initiated by HSUS was introduced in the Illinois Senate that would ban the use of gestation stalls in Illinois.
The legislation is similar to the ballot initiatives banning the use of gestation stalls, stalls for veal calves, and battery cages for egg laying hens that have passed in California, Arizona, and Florida. The proposed legislation in Illinois would become effective Jan. 1, 2010.
By Pork news staff (2/20/2009)
Source: Ohio Pork Producers Media Statement, WGFA Radio