Indiana Sets the Standard on Animal Care - 03/29/2010
by Gary Truitt
In Ohio, Michigan, and several other states, the issue of who should set the standards for animal care is a controversial battle between farmers and radical animal rights groups. But in Indiana the issue has been settled without a fight and may set the slandered for the rest of the nation. House Bill 1099 established in state law that the Indiana Board of Animal Health would be the sole regulator of animal care standards. As Bob Kraft with Indiana Farm Bureau explains, this bill sailed through the recent legislative session, “There was not a single dissenting vote in either the House or the Senate, no amendments were offered, and it has already been signed into law by the Governor.” Kraft says the reason this measure was so easy to pass in Indiana is the respect both sides have for the BOAH.
Another reason the measure had such an easy time was good communication and support by all of Indiana‘s livestock groups and by Farm Bureau, “There was clear communication and cooperation, and everyone agreed on the wording of the bill and its goals.” Lt. Governor Becky Skillman told HAT another factor was the strong support agriculture has from the administration, “Agriculture in other states does not enjoy the kind of support we have here in Indiana. We wanted to be proactive on the issue of animal care.”
Kraft says many other states are looking at the Indiana language as a model for their states, “Since the passage of the measure I have been contacted by Farm Bureaus in other states. They are looking at using our language as a model for their situations.” So, while the battle rages in Ohio, this particular issue will not be an issue in Indiana.
This is great news for agriculturalists across the nation. I hope that other states will continue to follow the lead of Indiana and be proactive about who sets standards for animal care.
Until next time,
~Buzzard~
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