NEW ENGLAND, N.D. -- Measure 3 is important to get into the North Dakota Constitution because there are groups trying to fundamentally change agriculture and the ways farmers and ranchers do business. It also would radically alter food choices.
This measure is a constitutional amendment to block any law "which abridges the right of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural technology, modern livestock production and ranching practices."
Measure 3 is about protecting routine practices, such as castration, vaccinations, branding and many other modern practices such as biotechnology and crop protection chemicals. Losing any of these would limit our ability to produce food, which also will increase the cost of food.
The amendment is simply a level of protection against any group that uses emotions to get our practices outlawed. It will not limit zoning, ordinances or rules and regulations by Congress, the legislature or various agencies.
Numerous groups have used the ballot box to get their way, such as hunting bans, using feelings to appeal to voters. They used this method to mandate the size of farrowing crates for hogs and the size of cages for chickens. An advertisement is on the air now by the Humane Society of the United States, whose goal is to ban animal agriculture. The Humane Society of the United States has no animal shelters, so the ad is misleading and plays on your sympathies.
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Vote yes on Measure 3 to support farmers and ranchers and protect your food options.
Editor's Note: Erickson is from New England, N.D.
