Traverse City Record-Eagle

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March 14, 2012

Forum: State oversteps bounds with pig ban

By State Sen. Darwin Booher ----

When Mark Baker of McBain retired from the air force after 20 years, he never thought he would be fighting his own government to protect his family's livelihood. That's what is happening now.

Four years ago, Mark and his family began raising Mangalitsa and Russian swine, due to the tremendous market for heritage swine. However, Mark and other farmers that raise these pigs are being told by the Department of Natural Resources they must stop by April 1.

In December 2010, the DNR issued an invasive species order to include certain types of swine. The order became effective in October 2011 and affects all heritage hogs in Michigan. Even potbellied pigs, kept as pets, may now be an invasive species.

Just a week after the order's effective date, Traverse City hosted Pigstock, a four-day course about Mangalitsas. Chefs from throughout the Midwest attended the conference. The invasive species order now jeopardizes this conference and economic opportunities for small family farms.

The DNR's thinking is irrational. The department says certain pigs must be banned because Michigan has feral hogs (pigs running at-large outside of a fence).

But since all pigs outside of a fence are feral and the DNR cannot genetically differentiate between swine, the DNR decided to ban certain pigs due to their appearance. In December 2012, it issued rules describing the characteristics that pigs cannot have. Hence, the Mangalista, along with other swine breeds that look different, are now considered invasive.

The politics of this is absolutely amazing. Small farmers I've talked to wonder why the DNR is singling out their pigs and joining forces with the Michigan Pork Producers Association. They believe the DNR want all pigs to be raised in confinement facilities, and the best way to achieve that is to ban certain swine that aren't raised in confinement. In November 2010, Agriculture Commissioner Don Coe said Mangalitsa pigs can be raised locally, "not in large feedlots, but humanely, on small farms, the way they used to be."

I have repeatedly asked the DNR to revise their order so it will not apply to pigs raised by people. My colleagues and I specifically asked DNR Director Rodney Stokes to rescind the order or revise it to apply only to feral pigs. Gov. Snyder could also require it to be changed. Unfortunately, neither has taken action.

This is a perfect example of government and bureaucrats moving their own agendas with total disregard for the law, private property rights and the Constitution.

That leaves Mark Baker little choice but to take steps on his own to protect his family's way of life from an overzealous state department.

I oppose the DNR's actions and will continue to stand up against this government overreach.

I encourage you to contact Gov. Snyder and Director Stokes to express your opposition to this type of government behavior. Ask them to rescind this order and stand up for small businesses that are providing choice in Michigan's food industry.

About the author: State Sen. Darwin Booher, R-Evart, represents the 35th Senate District and serves as vice chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

About the forum: The forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in their areas of interest or expertise. Submissions of 500 words or less may be made by e-mailing letters@record-eagle.com. Please include biographical information and a photo.

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