Livestock board sets series of meetings
By MARC KOVAC
Dix Communications
COLUMBUS -- The new Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board launches a series of public hearings this week with a half dozen sessions scheduled through the end of the month.
The first session is set for tonight at Parkman Community House, 16295 Main Market Road, in Geauga County.
Others are scheduled for: May 12, Independence Elementary School, Lima; May 13, Columbus Global Academy, Columbus; May 18, Miami Valley Career Technology Center, Clayton; May 25, Mideast Career & Technology Center, Senacaville; and May 26, Carver Community Center, Chillicothe.
All will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Mike Bailey, executive director of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, said the sessions will include about an hour of informational presentations, giving attendees a chance to learn about the criteria being considered in developing the new standards.
About an hour and 15 minutes will be allotted for public comment. That time will serve as a listening session for board members with no formal business conducted, Bailey said.
The board also will accept written comments, sent to the Ohio Department of Agriculture via e-mail at livestockstandardsboard@agri.ohio.gov.
The board will consider citizens' comments as members develop enforceable rules for the treatment of hogs, cows, sheep, goats, poultry and llamas.
The state's Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review would have to sign off on the standards before they take effect.
Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment in November creating the board.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture is administering the process and, once standards are in place, it will investigate complaints of livestock mistreatment. Farmers who violate the rules will face civil penalties.
n Marc Kovac is the Dix capital bureau chief. E-mail him at mkovac@dixcom.com or on Twitter at Ohio Capital Blog.