U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Katie Britt (R-AL) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) have introduced the Feral Swine Eradication Act, which would extend and make permanent a pilot program to safeguard public health, agriculture and local ecosystems against the threat of feral swine.
“Feral hogs can inflict serious economic and environmental damage to our agricultural communities by destroying crops, trampling farmland and threatening other livestock,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would support our farmers, ranchers and producers in Texas and across the country by promoting removal and restoration efforts to mitigate the risk posed by this invasive species.”
“New Mexico’s farmers, ranchers and producers play a vital role in supporting our state’s economy and it’s critical that their crops and livestock are protected from harm,” said Sen. Luján. “Feral hogs pose serious threats to New Mexico’s agriculture industry by disrupting their land, killing plants and increasing the chance for unwanted weeds. That’s why I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation that safely removes feral swine and protects New Mexico’s critical agricultural communities.”
“Feral swine are a serious threat to the livelihoods of Alabama’s farmers. Feral hogs destroy crops, land, and undo months, if not years, of work by our farmers to feed our country,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Feral swine cause an estimated $50 million in damages annually to Alabama. Despite eradication efforts, the pigs are still running rampant throughout the South. And so today, I’m standing with Alabama farmers and taking action to fight back against this threat.”
“In Georgia, feral hogs have been responsible for over $150 million a year in economic damage for our farmers. They destroy crops, damage pastures and devastate livestock and horticulture,” said Sen. Rev. Warnock. “As a voice for Georgia farmers on the Senate Agriculture committee, I am committed to protecting this program to provide farmers and workers on the frontlines of our agriculture industry with the tools and resources needed to combat this destruction.”
“I remain committed to supporting Alabama’s incredible farmers, including by addressing the devastating economic and environmental impacts of feral swine. The Feral Swine Eradication Act would establish a permanent program to eliminate this threat,” said Sen. Britt. “I’m proud to introduce federal legislation to help mitigate the estimated $50 million in agricultural damage caused in our state each year and protect the livelihoods of farmers who continue to feed and clothe our nation.”
There are approximately six million feral hogs across the United States, which cause more than $2.5 billion in damages each year. The Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program was established in the 2018 Farm Bill to respond to rampant feral swine outbreaks and was implemented by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service. This program included feral swine removal by APHIS, restoration efforts supported by NRCS, and assistance to producers for feral swine control through grants with non-federal partners. NRCS and APHIS successfully carried out these pilot projects in ten states.
This legislation is endorsed by the Texas Farm Bureau, Plains Cotton Growers, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
Source - https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com
