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Background:
The Ohio Department of Agriculture's recent decision on dairy product labeling will be reviewed this week by the Department, the Governor, and the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR).

Farm Bureau supports the variety of choices offered to consumers in the marketplace, as long as marketers represent those choices accurately. That is why Farm Bureau is supportive of this proposed rule.

Labels with claims such as "hormone-free, antibiotic-free, pesticide-free, and rbST-free" are misleading consumers to believe that there is a compositional or safety difference in dairy products where none exist. OFBF policy (Food Labeling 422.1) opposes all use of false and misleading labels, promotional materials or other advertising for food products.

We are working to keep legislators and policy makers informed on this issue, but we need your help. Activist groups that oppose the ODA ruling are taking action to protest. Dairy producers need to make their voice heard, too.

Action:
Whether it's through email, letter, or a telephone call, let your state representative, senator and members of the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review know how you feel. Using talking points for reference, please consider sending a personalized message to your state legislators and a member of JCARR. Click here for talking points.

Resources:
JCARR Members:
Rep. Ross McGregor: district72@ohr.state.oh.us or (614) 466-2038
Rep. Clyde Evans: district87@ohr.state.oh.usor (614) 466-1366
Rep. William G. Batchelder: district69@ohr.state.oh.us or (614) 466-8140
Rep. Fred Strahorn: district40@ohr.state.oh.us or (614) 466-2960
Rep. Sandra Stabile Harwood: district65@ohr.state.oh.us or (614) 466-3488
Sen. Tom Niehaus: sd14@mailr.sen.state.oh.us or (614) 466-8082
Sen. Robert Schuler: SD07@mailr.sen.state.oh.us or (614) 466-9737
Sen. Timothy Grendell: SD18@mailr.sen.state.oh.us or (614) 644-7718
Sen. Sue Morano: senatormorano@maild.sen.state.oh.us or (614) 644-7613
Sen. Tom Sawyer: senatorsawyer@maild.sen.state.oh.us or (614) 466-7041

Your Legislators:
To find your state legislators use the Interactive Map on the Farm Votes Matter Web page, or search by your zip code.

Questions:
Please contact David White at dwhite@ofbf.org or call 614.246.8261 if you should have any questions.