Source:  COLUMBUS NEBRASKA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


  The Board of Directors of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce at their June meeting went on record supporting the state’s livestock industry.  The Board unanimously passed a resolution outlining its support for livestock production in the state and opposition to outside groups that intend to limit or eliminate the state’s livestock industry.

  The Chamber Board first went on record supporting animal agriculture in 2003, passing a resolution and communicating its position to members and the public.

  The Chamber’s Agribusiness Committee has long been active in promoting agriculture and communicating the importance of agriculture to the local economy.  The Agribusiness Committee drafted the resolution and formally asked the Chamber Board to approve it.

  “The Columbus Area Chamber today joins a number of other local Chambers of Commerce in Nebraska and Governor Dave Heineman in publicly declaring support for animal agriculture, supporting local producers, and proactively opposing those outside influences that mean to harm this vital industry,” said Chamber President K.C. Belitz.

  The text of the resolution approved by the Board reads as follows:
Whereas, agriculture is Nebraska’s largest industry that supports 1 in 3 jobs in the state; and

Whereas Platte County generated $271-million dollars of livestock sales in 2007; and

Whereas, state and local governments rely on taxes generated by Nebraska’s agriculture industry to provide funding for schools, public safety, infrastructure and economic development; and

Whereas, Nebraska livestock and poultry farmers know how to take care of their animals having led the nation in establishing proper animal care standards; and

Whereas, the Nebraska Legislature passed and Governor Dave Heineman signed into law the Livestock Animal Welfare Act in 2010, updating standards for the humane treatment of farm animals that exceeds current federal laws; and

Whereas, the Humane Society of the United States - based in Washington, D.C. - possesses an extreme animal rights agenda that opposes hunting, fishing, rodeos, circuses, and other uses of animals in society; and
Whereas, the Humane Society of the United States equates meat consumption to animal abuse and advocates for “reducing, refining, and replacing” meat consumption in individual diets; and    

Whereas, the Humane Society of the United States has been initiating and implementing an extreme animal rights campaign across the country to eliminate traditional and veterinary approved farm animal care practices; and

Whereas, the Humane Society of the United States has hired a state coordinator/lobbyist, and has introduced legislation in Nebraska to place restrictions on farming practices; and

Whereas, the Humane Society of the United States is not affiliated with the Platte Valley Humane Society, and
Whereas,  only ½ of one percent (.5%) of the Humane Society of the United States budget is sent to organizations providing hands on care of dogs and cats;

Thereby, the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce does hereby resolve that it supports Nebraska livestock and poultry farmers and opposes the Humane Society of the United States or any organization or group with an extreme or hidden agenda that would adversely impact the ability of Nebraska farmers to raise livestock and poultry, harm Nebraska’s economy, and raise food costs.