Ohio voters to decide fate of livestock board

Columbus, Ohio

-- Ohio voters today will decide whether or not a state board is needed to regulate livestock housing.

If approved, Issue 2 will create this new board.

The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) released a position statement in favor of the measure.

"The creation of a regulatory entity which would help advance reasonable animal-care standards that rely upon the expertise of those trained to evaluate environments appropriate to an animal's care and use reflects positive developments in public policy," OVMA says.The measure is believed to have been advanced to block a ballot initiative backed by the Humane Society of the United States to change farm-animal housing standards.