US wild hog regulations face opposition

West Kerr Rancher Teri Hawkins said feral hogs reproduce rapidly and damage property, livestock and wildlife. She has a petition signed by almost 100 ranchers opposing new regulations that impose added costs on trappers. Most people feel the new rules are well intended in terms of disease management, but some are misguided.

The proposed regulations deal with holding, transporting and the disposition of live wild hogs that have been captured, to reduce the chances of spreading disease to domestic swine herds to cattle and other livestock.

The rules were devised by a committee comprised of commercial swine and show pig producers, slaughter plant operators, veterinarians, hunters, hog trappers and wildlife biologists.

Subscribe here to the free Pig Progress newsletter