Stop the Power Grab by the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources!

Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources has issued an Invasive Species Order, supposedly to help stop the spread of feral swine. But in the order, the swine are identified by such ubiquitous characteristics that most any open-range pigs, especially heritage breeds raised on small family farms, are defined as illegal “invasive species” and are thus unjustly threatened with eradication.

Possession of these animals carry up to a two-year jail sentence and $20,000 in fines, and the ISO allows DNR to seize and destroy heritage breeds of pigs raised by Michigan farmers—without compensation. These are the same pigs that farmers and ranchers in Michigan have been raising for decades, and many believe that the conventional pork industry is using the ISO to wipe out its competition of local, specialty ranchers and farmers.

Ask Gov. Rick Snyder and Michigan legislators to repeal the Invasive Species Order and support the heritage breeds of pigs being raised by small farmers.

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Dear [Decision Maker],

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I was distressed to learn that the Michigan DNR has issued an Invasive Species Order on swine that includes a prohibitively broad definition of what constitutes an invasive swine. Many of the characteristics in the order's list of phenotype traits also apply to the heritage or "old world" swine breeds that are being raised by hundreds of small farmers throughout the state.

This ISO does not grant protections to these swine that are being raised responsibly -- in contained fences, on distinct properties, and in legitimate agricultural operations. The Michigan DNR director said explicitly, "Any swine, whether pure or hybrid, exhibiting these characteristics are prohibited. All people in the state of Michigan are subject to this prohibition regardless of their use of this type of swine. Your constituents that wish to purchase swine can look at the characteristics listed in the Ruling and choose swine that do not exhibit the prohibited characteristics."

This ruling effectively eliminates genetic diversity in the Michigan hog population, leaving citizens with the less hardy, non-foraging hybrids suited only for large hog-house production. This ISO is a violation of our right to raise and eat the breeds of animals that we choose so long as they constitute no grave threat to the health and well-being of the current domestic pig population or to the Michigan ecosystems monitored by the DNR.

Please support repealing the DNR Invasive Species Order. Old world/heritage breed swine must be allowed to be raised by farmers. Don't let the DNR confuse them with feral hogs who have bred and roam in wild and unfenced public and private lands.

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Protecting Natural Health