To the Editor:
I am not a politician. I do not like big government and am not fond of the idea of increased regulations and oversight of our farms. But the agricultural industry must adapt to the changing social and political climate we run our businesses in. The general public becomes more removed from the realities of raising livestock every day and they are constantly bombarded with emotional propaganda from animal rights organizations, whose primary agenda is to slowly but surely end the use of animals for food production. Vote yes for Issue 2. I grew up on a commercial beef operation in Carroll County. I always knew that I wanted to remain in the agricultural industry, Ohio’s number one economic driver, and pursued higher education at The Ohio State University receiving my doctorate in veterinary medicine. I now am employed in a food animal veterinary practice covering Carroll, Columbiana, and Stark counties. Yes, the overwhelming majority of producers go above and beyond appropriate care for their livestock. However, occasionally our industry has had to deal with a few black eyes. The general public wants reassurance that the food they are consuming is being raised safely and humanely. Those of us in agriculture are not necessarily used to being on the offensive with issues. Issue 2 is a proactive approach to dealing with “food safety, local availability and affordability of food, and best farm management practices for animal well-being”(Ohioans for Livestock Care pamphlet). The agriculture industry is under continuous pressure of reduced rural land mass, growing populations, and increased public scrutiny. Animal rights organizations want the public to forget that raising animals for food is a business. That means using efficiencies of scale, knowing the cost of your inputs, and yes making a profit. There is no shame in working an honest living, caring for livestock in order to produce food for another family. The board that Issue 2 will create will not be paid governmental positions. It will be a voice to aid in setting standards of care within an economic context. In the future, I may not agree with some recommendations of this board. We as an agricultural community have to lay the ground work somewhere before the industry becomes shackled from other interest groups.My daughter is a year and a half old. Every morning she wakes up, looks out the window, and shouts Mooo! If the agricultural community does not embrace the challenges of our changing social and political environment we stand to lose a great deal of economic viability. We have to do more to entrust to the public there are reasons for the agricultural practices that are used. That includes adjusting some standards to allow for greater animal comfort and punishing those in the industry that fail to uphold minimal care standards. I want my daughter to have an opportunity in the agricultural industry when she’s grown. I want her friend that lives in Chicago to understand that raising livestock is a business. No matter what the scale, the business strives to maintain animal comfort in order to produce a commodity that provides sustenance to the consumer and an income to the owner and employees. Issue 2 is a step to help provide a framework for proper regulation. This is the right step for both agriculture and the public. Vote yes on Issue 2.
Jason Marteney D.V.M
Carrollton, OH
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