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A bill proposed by state Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, along with two other lawmakers, calls for charging a 2 percent fee on horse feed sold.
The money would be used to promote the horse industry, said Grendell, who has sponsored Senate Bill 37 along with state Sens. Jeff Jacobson, R-Butler Township, in Montgomery County, and Patricia Clancy, R-Colerain Township, in Hamilton County.
The fee is along the lines of the existing cattle and corn checkoff fees, Grendell said.
A 15-member equine marketing committee would be formed to promote horse-trail rides, races, horse ownership and research on equine health care, among other items.
Grendell said his proposal wouldn't cost taxpayers because the fee would be paid by horse-feed manufacturers.
It's not known how much money the checkoff fee would generate.
Horse-feed producers would be able to opt out of the program, in which case the fee checked off would be refunded to them, Grendell said.
Jim Beracah, owner of Beracah Valley Farm Inc. in Chardon Township, is concerned the fee would add to the "already high prices of hay, fodder and other horse feed."
"It seems like a sin tax to me," said Beracah, who has 20 horses. "I'm against any tax increase.
"The price of horse food components has gone up; costs of transportation and horse equipment also have gone up."
The county has about 7,000 to 8,000 horses, said Les Ober, program coordinator at Ohio State University's Geauga County Extension in Chardon.
Ober said a similar program in the soybean industry has worked out well.
Funds generated by the fee are being used for research, especially on ethanol.
"There are a lot of positive things from the soybean checkoff program," Ober said.
