Email reply from Senator Anderson concerning the DNR and it's invasive species order. Recently, the DNR has raided family farms with guns to forcefully kill whole herds of hetitage breed pigs.
To learn more about this issue click here
-----Forwarded Message-----
From: The Office of Senator Anderson
Sent: Apr 17, 2012 9:08 AM
Cc: The Office of Senator Anderson
Subject: RE: DNR terrorizes family farms.
Dear ,
Thank you for contacting the Senator Anderson regarding the issue of invasive swine in Michigan. These swine pose a significant threat to the environment and to the domestic pork industry. Senator Anderson appreciates your comments and has asked that I respond to you directly.
Given that threat, the DNR in December 2010 issued an Invasive Species Order prohibiting certain types of swine in Michigan. The order went into effect Oct. 8, 2011.
To give those in possession of prohibited swine ample opportunity to come into compliance with the law, DNR Director Rodney Stokes delayed enforcement of the Invasive Species Order for an additional six months, until April 1, 2012. This phased implementation of the order allowed hunting and breeding facilities in possession of prohibited swine to depopulate their facilities and reconfigure their business plans to minimize economic hardship.
After April 1, those still in possession of these prohibited swine could face civil or criminal penalties under Part 413 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. NOTE: there will not be any “government forces” destroying pigs in Michigan. It is also worth noting that the DNR has indicated that this ruling will affect less than 50 farmers in Michigan, and is meant to protect the state from the invasive species.
The Invasive Species Order prohibits possession of wild boar, wild hog, wild swine, feral pig, feral hog, feral swine, Old world swine, razorback, eurasian wild boar, Russian wild boar (Sus scrofa Linnaeus). The order does not apply to domestic swine, Sus domestica.
A separate ruling from the DNR, issued Dec. 13, 2011, details specific physical characteristics used to identify the prohibited swine. These phenotype characteristics were developed with a national expert relying on the best available science. This is the order you referenced in your e-mail.
As an additional step to control invasive swine, hunters in possession of any valid Michigan hunting license and who are hunting during any open season are encouraged to shoot any feral swine – defined as swine outside of fences – they encounter. Private landowners can shoot feral swine on their property at any time without a hunting license.
I hope this information helps answer your concerns regarding invasive swine in Michigan and the steps the DNR is taking to address the problem. Thank you for your interest.
Sincerely,
Scott Hendrickson
Legislative Aide
Office of Senator Glenn S. Anderson
Michigan State Senate
6th District
Print 
PDF