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 The Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall passes through downtown Wapakoneta Wednesday, September 1. Staff photo/William Laney By CARLA MEYER
Staff Writer
For 45 minutes, the roar of motorcycles could be heard passing under an American flag hanging from two ladder trucks. For 45 minutes, area residents gathered in the shadow of the Auglaize County Courthouse and Wapakoneta Fire Station waved and clapped as motorcyclists rode by.
The smiles and waves turned into clapping and cheers as the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall passed down Willipie Street on its way to Custenborder Field in Sidney where it was greeted by a field of American flags.
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Monday, 09 March 2009 |
By MATT NICHOLS
Staff Writer
PIQUA — Forcing Ohio livestock regulations onto producers is the first step in a national animal rights organization’s attempt to eliminate livestock production and to create a meat-free, vegan-oriented America.
That was the message which was delivered to hundreds of farmers who attended Saturday’s 18th annual 8th Congressional District Farm Forum at Edison Community College.
The event, which is hosted by House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester, puts experts from different farm sectors into a discussion about the current and future issues facing farmers across the region.
Speakers in this year’s event included Boehner, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen, Ohio Poultry Association Executive Vice President Jim Chakeres, Ohio Corn Growers Association Executive Director Dwayne Siekman, National Turkey Federation President Joel Brandenberger and Policy Directions Inc. Senior Vice President Steve Kopperud.
This year’s topic dealt with ethanol and animal rights, but for the vast majority of the event, the topic of animal rights — specifically the recent actions by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) — dominated the discussions.
Two notable speakers painted a bleak future for Ohio livestock farmers as national Humane Society President and CEO Wayne Pacelle prepares to initiate a variety of livestock farming regulations across the state. In a concerning speech, Kopperud said Ohio farmers should be warned that the Humane Society has the manpower, funding and ability to bring about great change in how Ohio farms.
“I’ve been watching and fighting them for 22 years, and what I’ve seen is the emergence of one single organization which has decided that by itself that it will shift the way America produces food, shift what America eats for food and will do it all in the name of animal protection,” Kopperud said.
Kopperud said Pacelle’s immediate plans include eliminating poultry cages, gestation stalls and calf crates throughout Ohio.
Kopperud said Pacelli plans to bring legislation, or issue a state referendum, to bring an end to the farming practices. If the practices are banned, Kopperud said it will bring irreversible changes to Ohio livestock farming.
“It will basically shift the way we produce food in this country to the way it was in the 1930s,” Kopperud said. “If we return to animal agriculture to the 1930s, we’re toast. Three-quarters of this country cannot support crops, two-thirds of this planet cannot support crops. You cannot feed the existing population based on a vegetable-based diet.”
While Pacelle’s motives may not currently seem like he is driving a full-fledged restriction on animal production, Kopperud warned the organization is only just initiating the first steps in a nationwide attack.
Ohio, he said, will be used as a perfect example. If the changes in regulations are put forth, other states would likely follow, and more changes would be imposed.
“The Humane Society of the United States say they aren’t pushing for a vegan society, however, if you cut the crap you’ll find they are in a PETA-kind of agenda,” Kopperud said. “If you think you can sit down with an animal rights group and give them something and they go away, you are absolutely insane.”
During his keynote address at the end of the forum, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Porteus echoed Kopperud’s comments, saying Pacelle is “gearing up for an assault on Ohio.”
Porteus said Pacelle told him blatantly that the changes in the crates and stalls are inevitable, saying Pacelle will take the fight to the people who do not understand the science of animal husbandry.
“The Humane Society of the United States has a clear-cut goal that makes producing meat products illegal,” Porteus said. “They want to put livestock farmers out of business on their way to creating a meat-free American society.”
Kopperud gave one final ultimatum to all those in attendance Saturday, saying Ohio farmers must come together, get public and put a face on the livestock industry. If they do not, he said the consequences could be drastic.
“This is a collective threat,” Kopperud told those in attendance. “If all of the Ohio agricultural community does not sit down and figure out a collective way to stop this right now, you will all wind up as crop producers.”
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 10 March 2009 )
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