MI Government, ARMED raids on small pig farms!!!

[Kutnupe14]

Ok, so it's April 17th. Apparently April 1st was the day that Michigan was to unleash hell upon the innocent piggies and their care takers. Am I late to the party or what? Is the war already over. Where are the armed raids by govt workers? Where are the farmers, with tears in their eyes, being forced to cull their stock. I can't find anything on this anywhere. And here I was thinking that somebody had actually done something to complain about.

Can anyone point me to a Michigan law that makes this stuff valid?

 

[rambone]

I'd just like to see the animals in question. What condition they where in, where they de-tusked, how they were contained, etc. It just seems completely insane that the dnr would order the destruction of common livestock without a reason.

None of that information would justify government destroying private property.

After reading about a dozen articles (Google is your friend), here is what I could figure out. Michigan is having a real problem with feral pigs. Read the definition on the DNR page, feral means free ranging. Game preserves up in Michigan are raising these Eurasian wild pig species in order to turn them loose for hunters to pay and shoot them. Obviously many of the pigs don't stay on the preserve property and they are having a population explosion out in the wild. Since they are wild pigs, they begin to carry a host of diseases and parasites. When they stop in to visit with their domesticated cousins, they pass those health issues. They are also destroying crops, causing pollution in the waterways and just generally causing problems. So the state passed a law against it and the DNR is enforcing it.

The moment they set their sights on privately owned animals, they have crossed the line. And it seems that they are already there.

 

[88GT]

None of that information would justify government destroying private property prior to due process.

I hate to impose the FIFY mantra because it sounds so snarky, but in this case, I think the edit is integral to the discussion.

The moment they set their sights on privately owned animals, they have crossed the line. And it seems that they are already there.

Privately owned animals are not sacrosanct. Possessing them is still just as much dependent on the observance of the harm they due to others as is the behavior of the individual.

There are a LOT of missing puzzle pieces in this particular discussion.

 

[Expat]

Ok, so it's April 17th. Apparently April 1st was the day that Michigan was to unleash hell upon the innocent piggies and their care takers. Am I late to the party or what? Is the war already over. Where are the armed raids by govt workers? Where are the farmers, with tears in their eyes, being forced to cull their stock. I can't find anything on this anywhere. And here I was thinking that somebody had actually done something to complain about.

Can anyone point me to a Michigan law that makes this stuff valid?

Invasive Species Order

By authority conferred on the Department of Natural Resources by section 41302 of the Natural Resources Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended, MCL 324.41302, and Executive Orders 2009-45, 2009-54, 2011-1, and 2011-2, and in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, the Invasive Species Order shall read as follows :


40.1 Short title.
Sec. 40.1 (1) This order shall be known and may be cited as "the invasive species order."
History: Iss. Dec. 3, 2009.

40.2 Meanings of words and phrases.
Sec. 40.2 (1) For the purposes of this order, words and phrases defined in part 413, transgenic and nonnative organisms, of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, as amended, MCL 324.41301 to 324.41323, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.
History: Iss. Dec. 3, 2009.

40.3 Prohibited species list.
Sec. 40.3 (1) Prohibited species are listed in part 413, transgenic and nonnative organisms, of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, as amended, MCL 324.41301 to 324.41323.
History: Iss. Dec. 3, 2009.

40.4 Additional prohibited species.
Sec. 40.4 (1) Possession of the following live species, including a hybrid or genetic variant of the species, an egg or offspring of the species or of a hybrid or genetically engineered variant, is prohibited:

(a) New Zealand mud snail (potamopyrgus antipodarum).

(b) 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). This subsection does not and is not intended to affect sus domestica involved in domestic hog production.

(c) The department shall consult with staff from the Michigan department of agriculture on the development of a phased compliance protocol for the implementation of this section.
History: Iss. Dec 3, 2009; Am. 1, 2010, Eff. Jul 8, 2011; Am. 1, 2011, Eff. Oct 8, 2011.

Compiler’s Note: The Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources executed an Order on August 8, 2011, extending the effective date for only Sec. 40.4 (1b) to October 8, 2011.

Invasive Species Order

Looks like this is the law involved.

 

[Expat]

Here was the MI DNR News Release.

DNR - DNRE Director Signs Order to Make Feral Swine Invasive Species

DNRE Director Signs Order to Make Feral Swine Invasive Species
Contact: Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014
Agency: Natural Resources


Dec. 10, 2010

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Director Rebecca Humphries has signed an order to make feral swine and wild boar an invasive species in Michigan. Humphries gave the order an effective date of July 8, 2011, giving the state Legislature time to enact laws to provide regulations for facilities that currently provide wild boar breeding and hunting. If legislation is not passed to regulate the facilities, the invasive species order will go in to effect, making it illegal to possess wild boar in Michigan.

"Feral swine pose a significant risk to Michigan's wildlife, ecosystems and agricultural resources, and they are a serious disease threat to humans, wildlife and domesticated pigs," Humphries said. "I urge the Legislature to address this issue in 2011. Michigan is in a unique position to address this threat to our natural and agricultural resources by having our legal options aligned, but regulation is greatly needed for us to be effective."

Wild boar breeding and hunting in shooting facilities is unregulated in Michigan, and boars are not listed as a game species in the state. Wild boar are not native to the state of Michigan.

The order lists wild or feral boar/swine/hog, Old World swine, razorback, Eurasian wild boar and Russian wild boar as invasive species. The DNRE estimates that there are at least 65 swine hunting or breeding facilities in the state, and that a vast majority of the feral swine running at large in Michigan are animals that have escaped from hunting or breeding facilities.

A feral swine work group comprised of stakeholders including pork producers and wildlife and conservation organizations, and hunting and breeding facility representatives met over the last few months to make recommendations for regulations for wild boar breeding and shooting facilities, including fencing standards, biosecurity measures, methods of inventory, liability for escaped animals, indemnity, fees to support regulation and penalties for violation. Humphries has urged incoming legislative leaders to take up the recommendations in the form of legislation to regulate wild swine breeding and shooting facilities, and to place a moratorium on the establishment of any new swine breeding or shooting facilities.

Damage caused by invasive swine to important species and ecosystems has been documented in virtually every segment of their range in the United States. Feral swine are particularly disruptive of native wildlife, including many desirable game species in Michigan, such as white-tailed deer, pheasant, wild turkey and ruffed grouse. Feral swine compete with native wildlife for food, including hard and soft mast (acorns and berries), which are often vital for some wildlife species in the winter months.

The disease threat posed by invasive swine to human and animal health through the transmission of disease is significant, Humphries said. A few invasive swine borne diseases to which humans are susceptible include brucellosis, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, sarcoptic mange, E. coli and trichinosis. Feral swine also carry several diseases that threaten livestock, including pseudorabies, swine brucellosis, tuberculosis, vesicular stomatis and classic swine fever.

Feral swine's rooting behavior degrades water quality by contributing to significant soil erosion, and through the introduction of bacteria, including coliform bacteria, into rivers and streams. Rooting behavior also destroys native plant communities.

Some estimates suggest that invasive swine damage to agricultural crops and the environment conservatively total $1.5 billion in the United States. As opportunistic feeders, feral swine consume a wide variety of crops, including corn, hay, small grains, vegetables, soybeans, tree fruits and berries. In some states, studies have shown that feral swine's rooting and wallowing behavior in agricultural fields can create holes that damage farming equipment and endanger operators.

Wildlife experts from Texas - considered the state with the largest feral swine population in the United States - presented information last year to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission about management problems with feral swine. Experts told the NRC that there are no practical or economical management techniques that can adequately control the spread and negative impact of feral swine. Through aggressive breeding and high adaptability, feral swine are quickly able to establish populations in a variety of climates and ecosystems, they said.

"The state lacks the financial and human resources needed to control this species," Humphries said. "Other states have spent millions of dollars on trapping, shooting and other measures to control feral swine, and have admitted it is a losing battle."

Feral swine have been sighted in nearly every county in Michigan. For information about the feral swine issue, please go to DNR Feral Swine Redirect.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state's environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more at DNRE Home Redirect.

 

[Kutnupe14]

Invasive Species Order

Looks like this is the law involved.

Thanks, I tried to rep you, but I need to "spread it around first." I was actually kinda baffled.

 

[88GT]

Swine saga continues

Deadline passes, Michigan's feral swine invasive species order goes into effect | MLive.com

This is what I find when I search "Michigan feral swine legislation." My apologies if these links or ones with similar information has already been posted.

What I'm not finding is anything that's happened in the 6 months between the DNR order taking effect and the date of implementation. The ranchers have known for quite a while that the standing DNR order would take effect failing the passing of legislation regulating the feral swine herds. Despite attempts in the MI House and Senate to do so, no accord was reached and the DNR order became the default law of the land.

Was there any attempt to get an injunction for the order? What have the ranchers been doing for the last 6 months? If sitting on their hands hoping for things to change, it's hard to have much sympathy for them.

Not that any of this is to be construed as justification for DNR's actions. I believe the order is based on bad science. But it's not like this was an out-of-the-blue thing that caught them off guard.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Uncle Ted has taken up this fight and apparently spoke about it at the NRA convention.

 

[Lex Concord]

Coming from a farming family, this concerns me greatly, whats to stop them from say killing cattle because of the risk of anthrax or TB or even mad cow disease. This is a direct violation of the 4th amendment and I hope the guy sues the state and MI has to pay out of their ***es for this.

The same thing that is stopping them from doing this....

 

[Expat]

Uncle Ted has taken up this fight and apparently spoke about it at the NRA convention.

Of course we recently discovered that Uncle Ted is highly despised on this board, so I am sure they will all rally to the state's side.

 

[IndyDave1776]

A good find by Expat!


DNRE Director Signs Order to Make Feral Swine Invasive Species
Contact: Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014
Agency: Natural Resources


Dec. 10, 2010

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Director Rebecca Humphries has signed an order to make feral swine and wild boar an invasive species in Michigan. Humphries gave the order an effective date of July 8, 2011, giving the state Legislature time to enact laws to provide regulations for facilities that currently provide wild boar breeding and hunting. If legislation is not passed to regulate the facilities, the invasive species order will go in to effect, making it illegal to possess wild boar in Michigan.

"Feral swine pose a significant risk to Michigan's wildlife, ecosystems and agricultural resources, and they are a serious disease threat to humans, wildlife and domesticated pigs," Humphries said. "I urge the Legislature to address this issue in 2011. Michigan is in a unique position to address this threat to our natural and agricultural resources by having our legal options aligned, but regulation is greatly needed for us to be effective."

Wild boar breeding and hunting in shooting facilities is unregulated in Michigan, and boars are not listed as a game species in the state. Wild boar are not native to the state of Michigan.

Up to this point we are dealing with feral swine and canned hunting facilities, not farms.

The order lists wild or feral boar/swine/hog, Old World swine, razorback, Eurasian wild boar and Russian wild boar as invasive species. The DNRE estimates that there are at least 65 swine hunting or breeding facilities in the state, and that a vast majority of the feral swine running at large in Michigan are animals that have escaped from hunting or breeding facilities.

Again, the canned hunt business and farming are two entirely different things with emphasis on the fact that in a farm environment, the swine are subject to standard animal husbandry practices as opposed to the canned hunt in which they run at large withing the confines of a very large fence.

A feral swine work group comprised of stakeholders including pork producers and wildlife and conservation organizations, and hunting and breeding facility representatives met over the last few months to make recommendations for regulations for wild boar breeding and shooting facilities, including fencing standards, biosecurity measures, methods of inventory, liability for escaped animals, indemnity, fees to support regulation and penalties for violation. Humphries has urged incoming legislative leaders to take up the recommendations in the form of legislation to regulate wild swine breeding and shooting facilities, and to place a moratorium on the establishment of any new swine breeding or shooting facilities.

this reminds me a lot of the colonization of assorted parts of the world in which there was a conference involving everyone but the population of the territory being divided up. You will notice that Big Agriculture, the canned hunt industry, and the environmentalists were all represented. Conspicuously absent are the farmers whose stock happens to contains the same genes as some of the canned hunt animals albeit raised as domestic animals which behave in an entirely different manner and function as common domestic swine.

Damage caused by invasive swine to important species and ecosystems has been documented in virtually every segment of their range in the United States. Feral swine are particularly disruptive of native wildlife, including many desirable game species in Michigan, such as white-tailed deer, pheasant, wild turkey and ruffed grouse. Feral swine compete with native wildlife for food, including hard and soft mast (acorns and berries), which are often vital for some wildlife species in the winter months.

The disease threat posed by invasive swine to human and animal health through the transmission of disease is significant, Humphries said. A few invasive swine borne diseases to which humans are susceptible include brucellosis, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, sarcoptic mange, E. coli and trichinosis. Feral swine also carry several diseases that threaten livestock, including pseudorabies, swine brucellosis, tuberculosis, vesicular stomatis and classic swine fever.

The above is true of feral animals truly living at large and also of canned hunt animals living as feral animals within the confines of a really large fenced area. Farm animals, again subject to normal animal husbandry, benefit from veterinary medicine making the above largely irrelevant.

Feral swine's rooting behavior degrades water quality by contributing to significant soil erosion, and through the introduction of bacteria, including coliform bacteria, into rivers and streams. Rooting behavior also destroys native plant communities.

Once again, this applies to feral animals and to canned hunt facilities, not farms.

Some estimates suggest that invasive swine damage to agricultural crops and the environment conservatively total $1.5 billion in the United States. As opportunistic feeders, feral swine consume a wide variety of crops, including corn, hay, small grains, vegetables, soybeans, tree fruits and berries. In some states, studies have shown that feral swine's rooting and wallowing behavior in agricultural fields can create holes that damage farming equipment and endanger operators.

Again, not in the case of farm animals raised with normal animal husbandry procedures (i.e., keeping them in fenced lots).

Wildlife experts from Texas - considered the state with the largest feral swine population in the United States - presented information last year to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission about management problems with feral swine. Experts told the NRC that there are no practical or economical management techniques that can adequately control the spread and negative impact of feral swine. Through aggressive breeding and high adaptability, feral swine are quickly able to establish populations in a variety of climates and ecosystems, they said.

Once again, those living in the confines of a farm, by definition, are NOT feral.

"The state lacks the financial and human resources needed to control this species," Humphries said. "Other states have spent millions of dollars on trapping, shooting and other measures to control feral swine, and have admitted it is a losing battle."

Once again, this is irrelevant to farm-raised animals.

Feral swine have been sighted in nearly every county in Michigan. For information about the feral swine issue, please go to DNR Feral Swine Redirect.

Criminals also have been sighted in nearly every county in Michigan. Does this mean they should ban people?

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state's environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more at DNRE Home Redirect.

That's nice. Why are they bothering farmers who are raising domesticated hogs under normal conditions because the state imbeciles have arbitrarily decided that they do not like the hogs' DNA?

 

[Lex Concord]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY9GxzTxTeM

Vid now dead...here is a live one..

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=843yH_0RMIA[/ame]

 

[jayhawk]

I'm part of the group that is shooting video for these guys. We have tons of footage, but can't release it just yet. Mark isn't out of the woods yet, but things are looking as promising as ever. Keep spreading the word.

Here is part two:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vZ6vp82wj0[/ame]

FYI, for those wondering, the Natural News piece is a bit sensationalized, but there have certainly been some scary moments along the way for Mark and his family, not to mention other pig farmers in the state of MI.