In Wake Of Issue 2 Passing In Ohio, American Humane Association Expects
Improved Welfare For Farm Animals To Move Rapidly
DENVER, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the passage of Issue 2 in Ohio
yesterday, the American Humane Association says it fully expects that the
Ohioans who will participate in the new Livestock Care Standards Board will
significantly and quickly advance and improve farm animal welfare in that
state.
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Based on that expectation, American Humane - which has a 132-year history of
improving the welfare of animals - supported Ohioans right to implement needed
improvements in farm animal welfare while maintaining local control. Based on
American Humane's successful legacy of working collaboratively with
agriculture to effect real and significant improvements in farm animal welfare
over more than 13 decades, it chose to support an effort that Ohioans
themselves developed, as opposed to having legislation or regulation imposed
upon the state by outside interests.
"Because American Humane believed this initiative had the potential to advance
humane care and handling of animals raised for food, we expressed our support
and offered our expertise and guidance in the actual formulation and
implementation of meaningful standards and practices, which we have done in
other states as well," said Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO of
American Humane. "Historically, we have supported a multitude of efforts
aimed at improving and advancing the care and well-being of companion pets and
animals raised for food, along with the awareness that such issues bring to
the public. While we believe it is generally up to each state or jurisdiction
to decide how best to accomplish improved animal welfare, we will always
default on the side of advancing the humane care of animals and, as such, will
support many efforts that appear to hold that promise."
American Humane continues to support the humane societies of Ohio in their
ongoing commitment to the protection and care of companion animals across the
state, and hopes to work with the Livestock Care Standards Board. In a letter
dated Oct. 29, 2009, from Ohioans for Livestock Care, which was the coalition
promoting Issue 2, steering committee member Jim Chakeres stated: "we look
forward to working with your organization on the implementation of the Ohio
Livestock Care Standards Board. Our committee believes that (American
Humane's) participation in this process is critical in establishing
science-based practices that will ensure excellent animal care. Additionally,
we would like to work with your partners in the state on implementing future
legislation concerning this issue and on related animal well-being issues."
American Humane created and launched the nation's first and original
monitoring, auditing and labeling program that attests to the humane care and
handling of animals raised for food, which gives American Humane powerful and
unique insights into how to advance animal welfare in the food-production
industry. That program, known as American Humane(R) Certified, is now the
pre-eminent and fastest-growing such program, covering more than 500 farming
operations and more than 60 million farm animals.
"Our experience working with agricultural interests has shown that the most
effective reform of animal welfare standards comes when the solutions are not
only good for animals, but good for people who buy food and good for farmers,
too," Wheatley added. "It is least effective when mandated or legislated by
outsiders. We think it's important when farms, large and small, are part of
the solution and voluntarily make good animal husbandry a part of their
operating procedures."
About American Humane
Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national
organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a
network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American
Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to
protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The
nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The
Link(R) between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the
benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane's office in Los
Angeles is the authority behind the "No Animals Were Harmed"(R) end-credit
disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane's office in
Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the
federal and state levels. The American Humane(R) Certified farm animal program
is the nation's original independent certification and labeling program for
humanely raised food. American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive
standards of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, has been
awarded the Independent Charities of America's "Best in America" Seal of
Approval, has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and
accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify
as a Top-Rated Charity, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity
Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator. Visit
www.americanhumane.org to learn more.
SOURCE American Humane Association
Randy Blauvelt of American Humane Association, +1-303-925-9442,
randyb@americanhumane.org
