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Dear
friend of farm animals,
I’m pleased to let you know that today Ohioans for Humane Farms reached an agreement with agriculture interests brokered by the Governor’s office to adopt several measures to protect farm animals. As you know, Farm Sanctuary has been 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.
This agreement includes several reforms that outlaw and phase out cruel practices in Ohio, a state known to have some of the weakest anti-cruelty laws in the nation and no meaningful protections for farm animals. The agreement includes the following measures for farm animals:
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A ban on veal crates, to be phased out within six years.
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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.
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A permanent moratorium on permits for new battery cage facilities in place immediately.
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A ban on the transport of downed cows and calves for slaughter.
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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.
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Enactment of legislation establishing felony-level penalties for cock fighters.
This week, we made progress for farm animals 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!
We will monitor the situation closely, and if need be, we can still submit the signatures we’ve already gathered and 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.
We could not have made this progress without all that our members have given 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 you, our members.
With each step forward, the momentum grows. And as progress is made, the days of factory farming are numbered.
 Yours in compassion,
Gene Baur
President & Co-Founder
Farm Sanctuary
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