If the animal rights activist groups have their way, lets look at what will happen.

Our shopper Amanda headed to the grocery store for her usual weekly shopping. When she got there, Amanda was shocked. No milk was in the dairy case and her family likes milk. Ice cream, a family favorite, could not be found anywhere. Eggs were missing along with butter. She wanted a beef roast but there were none. Some of the soaps she used were no where to be found. She was dismayed. She wanted the variety of good, wholesome animal foods in her family's diet.

Thankfully that is not the case today but tactics being used by groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Farm Sanctuary and others have that for their long range goal.

Here in Ohio most farm groups and a host of others decided to fight these extremist organizations. Last fall voters passed a constitutional amendment to establish an Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. This Board will include representation from broad interests in our state.

Now HSUS, under the disguise of a group they formed called Ohioans for Humane Farms, is circulating petitions to put unnecessary and expensive livestock restrictions on the Ohio ballot this fall. They think they are smarter than Ohio people and not willing to let Ohio's Livestock Care Standards Board function.

Last week the Ohio House of Representatives by a huge majority passed House Bill 414 that includes the necessary details to implement this Board. The Ohio Senate is working on Senate Bill 233 to do the same thing.

At Ohio Farm Bureau's Ag Day at the Capitol in February, both Governor Ted Strickland and his 2010 Republican opponent John Kasich strongly opposed further action by HSUS in Ohio. According to Ohio Farm Bureau, Governor Strickland said "If we want to eat, and if we want access to affordable and inexpensive food, it is important for the agricultural community within our state not to be hamstrung and to have their hands tied behind their back by those who do not fully appreciate what happens on our farms. The HSUS ballot initiative is unnecessary and I oppose it."

Republican John Kasich, referring to the extreme position of HSUS, said "No outsiders ought to come in here and try to destroy our farms...I'm stomping with you. It is wrong."

The HSUS group Ohioans for Humane Farms has launched an ambitious effort to get the necessary over 400,000 signatures to get their legislation on the ballot this fall. If someone comes along and wants you to sign a petition that says it is for humane care of animals, be aware. It could well be for this unnecessary legislation to restrict our food supply and make it much more expensive.

To get more factual information about the Humane Society of the United States, check out a Website www.humanewatch.org. According to OFBF, this project was established by David Martosko of the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF). It gives information in the form of documents, analysis, news articles and pictures for consumers, farmers, hunters, pet owners and others fed up with HSUS tactics.

Since it's launching, HSUS has done a lot of mudslinging and name calling about CCF and Martosko. That could be expected. If HSUS really wants to improve Ohio livestock production, they should work with the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board once it is established.

Local farmers and those across Ohio are committed to the well-being of their animals. They want to provide consumers with a safe, nutritious and affordable supply of food. You can count on that!