Partnership with HSUS Irks Bank’s Customers – Battle Forming in Ohio
Partnership with HSUS Irks Bank’s Customers – Battle Forming in Ohio
A decision by Bank of America (BOA) to donate 25 cents to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) for every $100 charged to a BOA credit card is drawing criticism from BOA customers in the agriculture community.
HSUS, which is not affiliated with local humane societies that operate animal shelters, is a pro-vegetarian organization that has been an outspoken critic of the meat and dairy industry.
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), a long-time customer of Bank of America, this week joined the growing list of critics of the bank’s decision to offer financial support to HSUS.
“I wish to inform you that your decision to partner with HSUS poses a challenge to this country’s farmers and ranchers and the overall U.S. agriculture and food sector of which AFIA is a member and is committed to championing,” said Kevin Kennedy, AFIA controller.
“We believe the objectives of HSUS are similar to those of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) organization—both organizations desire the elimination of meat, dairy and animal-agriculture industries,” said Kennedy, who noted that HSUS has annual income in excess of $100 million and net assets of more than $200 million.
“Your decision to partner with HSUS has prompted us to reconsider our banking relationship, and we may urge our members to do the same,” Kennedy added.
In response to the outpouring of criticism the HSUS partnership has brought to BOA, a spokesperson for the bank stated recently: “The matter has been elevated and is being looked into so that we can further address your concerns.”
HSUS Vs. Ohio
Meanwhile, HSUS and the agriculture community in Ohio are girding for a fight reminiscent of the recent Proposition Two battle in Californiawhich mandated changes in that state’s animal confinement practices. According to reports in the Akron Beacon Journal, HSUS is lining up against the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Cattlemen's Association, Ohio Pork Producers Council and Ohio Poultry Association in what is expected to become a heated, emotional and costly statewide ballot issue in November.
Ohio became the next target for HSUS on this issue because of the state's 30 million egg-laying hens. If such legislation were to pass in Ohio, it would have a profound economic impact on Ohio's agriculture industry, from the livestock sector to field crop production, according to Luther Tweeten, Ohio State University agricultural economist. Tweeten estimates if the state approves a measure similar to California’s Proposition Two, the costs to the poultry industry would increase by at least 20 percent, resulting in the loss of nearly 8,000 jobs and leaving Ohio uncompetitive in the market.
The move also would affect field crop production, diminishing demand for corn and soybeans since poultry consume 22 percent of the state's crop production.
Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle advised Ohioagriculture leaders to negotiate an agreement rather than taking the issue to the ballot box.
'When we met with those industry leaders, we (HSUS) suggested we come to a meeting of the minds with a plan to phase out confinement systems in the state,” said Pacelle. “My suggestion to agricultural leaders in Ohio was not to squander money on a campaign that was likely to fail.”
Lawmakers responded by fast-tracking preemptive resolutions in the House and the Senate to create a 13-member state board to oversee animal treatment. Ohio residents probably will vote on the proposed board in a constitutional amendment Nov. 3. Gov. Ted Strickland has pledged his support for the creation of what's being called the Livestock Care Standards Board.
The board would be composed of one food-safety expert; two members of statewide farm groups; a veterinarian; the state veterinarian from the Ohio Department of Agriculture; the dean of an Ohio agriculture department at a college or university; one representative of the local Humane Society; two members of the public; and three family farmers, one chosen by the governor, one by the speaker of the House and one by the president of the Senate. The director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture would chair the board.
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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.
Partnership with HSUS Irks Bank’s Customers – Battle Forming in Ohio
A decision by Bank of America (BOA) to donate 25 cents to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) for every $100 charged to a BOA credit card is drawing criticism from BOA customers in the agriculture community.
HSUS, which is not affiliated with local humane societies that operate animal shelters, is a pro-vegetarian organization that has been an outspoken critic of the meat and dairy industry.
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), a long-time customer of Bank of America, this week joined the growing list of critics of the bank’s decision to offer financial support to HSUS.
“I wish to inform you that your decision to partner with HSUS poses a challenge to this country’s farmers and ranchers and the overall U.S. agriculture and food sector of which AFIA is a member and is committed to championing,” said Kevin Kennedy, AFIA controller.
“We believe the objectives of HSUS are similar to those of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) organization—both organizations desire the elimination of meat, dairy and animal-agriculture industries,” said Kennedy, who noted that HSUS has annual income in excess of $100 million and net assets of more than $200 million.
“Your decision to partner with HSUS has prompted us to reconsider our banking relationship, and we may urge our members to do the same,” Kennedy added.
In response to the outpouring of criticism the HSUS partnership has brought to BOA, a spokesperson for the bank stated recently: “The matter has been elevated and is being looked into so that we can further address your concerns.”
HSUS Vs. Ohio
Meanwhile, HSUS and the agriculture community in Ohio are girding for a fight reminiscent of the recent Proposition Two battle in Californiawhich mandated changes in that state’s animal confinement practices. According to reports in the Akron Beacon Journal, HSUS is lining up against the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Cattlemen's Association, Ohio Pork Producers Council and Ohio Poultry Association in what is expected to become a heated, emotional and costly statewide ballot issue in November.
Ohio became the next target for HSUS on this issue because of the state's 30 million egg-laying hens. If such legislation were to pass in Ohio, it would have a profound economic impact on Ohio's agriculture industry, from the livestock sector to field crop production, according to Luther Tweeten, Ohio State University agricultural economist. Tweeten estimates if the state approves a measure similar to California’s Proposition Two, the costs to the poultry industry would increase by at least 20 percent, resulting in the loss of nearly 8,000 jobs and leaving Ohio uncompetitive in the market.
The move also would affect field crop production, diminishing demand for corn and soybeans since poultry consume 22 percent of the state's crop production.
Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle advised Ohioagriculture leaders to negotiate an agreement rather than taking the issue to the ballot box.
'When we met with those industry leaders, we (HSUS) suggested we come to a meeting of the minds with a plan to phase out confinement systems in the state,” said Pacelle. “My suggestion to agricultural leaders in Ohio was not to squander money on a campaign that was likely to fail.”
Lawmakers responded by fast-tracking preemptive resolutions in the House and the Senate to create a 13-member state board to oversee animal treatment. Ohio residents probably will vote on the proposed board in a constitutional amendment Nov. 3. Gov. Ted Strickland has pledged his support for the creation of what's being called the Livestock Care Standards Board.
The board would be composed of one food-safety expert; two members of statewide farm groups; a veterinarian; the state veterinarian from the Ohio Department of Agriculture; the dean of an Ohio agriculture department at a college or university; one representative of the local Humane Society; two members of the public; and three family farmers, one chosen by the governor, one by the speaker of the House and one by the president of the Senate. The director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture would chair the board.
# # #
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.