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Important Progress Made for Farm Animals in Ohio

On June 30, 2010, Ohioans for Humane Farms reached an agreement with agriculture interests brokered by the Governor’s office to adopt several measures to protect farm animals. Farm Sanctuary was on the ground in Ohio with tireless volunteers working to gather signatures for a ballot initiative to stop cruel factory farming practices in the state. 

The agreement includes several reforms that outlaw and phase out cruel practices in Ohio, a state known to have some of the weakest animal protection laws in the nation. The agreement includes the following measures for farm animals:

• A ban on veal crates, to be phased out within six years.
  
  
• A ban on new gestation crates in the state after December 31, 2010. Existing facilities are grandfathered, but must cease use of these crates within 15 years.
  
  
• A permanent moratorium on permits for new battery cage facilities in place immediately.
  
  
• A ban on the transport of downed cows and calves for slaughter.
  
  
• A ban on strangulation and other forms of on farm killing that are not included in euthanasia standards as outlined by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
  
  
• Enactment of legislation establishing felony-level penalties for cock fighters.

This time around, progress for farm animals was made without having to go to the ballot box. As in Michigan last year, when we initiated a similar initiative campaign, the industry was compelled to come to the table, and the animals won!

If need be, the signatures already gathered can still be submitted and the original measure can still get on the ballot in Ohio. But with this agreement, agribusiness in Ohio is committed to change for farm animals, and is taking steps needed to eliminate confinement systems and end some of the most egregious abuses.

Progress would not have been possible without the tremendous effort Farm Sanctuary supporters have contributed to this campaign. As more signatures were gathered and more endorsements gained over the past several months, industry saw the writing on the wall. This progress is only possible because of our members. 

With each step forward, the momentum grows. And as progress is made, the days of factory farming are numbered.

Please help us ensure that Ohio meets its commitment to implementing these reforms by taking action today!