But our concern for the welfare of Ohio's pork producers wasn't our only motivation. The vast majority of our department's work is regulatory, especially in the area of food safety. Here's a prime example of what I mean. That includes everything from processing grain into livestock feed to selling packaged foods to you at the grocery. For starters, jobs are threatened.
Rural veterinarians lose key clients.
Lower demand for feed means less grain is purchased from Ohio growers. Less Ohio meat is processed for consumer products. Consumers have fewer choices, which usually causes prices to go up. What affects one segment of the farm economy ripples through the entire food system. That's why ODA worked to help Ohio hog farmers.