Austin News

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. This legislative proposal aims to make permanent a pilot program designed to protect public health, agriculture, and ecosystems from feral swine.

In a statement, Sen. Cornyn emphasized the economic and environmental threats posed by feral swine to agricultural communities, saying, “Feral hogs can inflict serious economic and environmental damage to our agricultural communities by destroying crops, trampling farmland, and threatening other livestock.” He described the bill as supportive of farmers and producers across the U.S. through its focus on removal and restoration efforts.

Highlighting the situation in New Mexico, Sen. Luján commented on the significant danger feral hogs present to local agriculture. “Feral hogs pose serious threats to New Mexico’s agriculture industry by disrupting their land, killing plants, and increasing the chance for unwanted weeds,” he said.

Addressing the issue in Alabama, Sen. Tuberville stated, “Feral swine cause an estimated $50 million in damages annually to Alabama. Despite eradication efforts, the pigs are still running rampant throughout the South.”

Sen. Warnock noted the substantial financial impact on Georgia, remarking, “In Georgia, feral hogs have been responsible for over $150 million a year in economic damage for our farmers.” As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, he voiced his commitment to defending the interests of Southern farmers.

Sen. Britt emphasized support for Alabama’s farmers, adding, “I’m proud to introduce federal legislation to help mitigate the estimated $50 million in agricultural damage caused in our state each year.”

The pilot program, originally part of the 2018 Farm Bill, saw collaboration between the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to address feral swine impacts in various states. The proposal has received backing from several agricultural organizations, including the Texas Farm Bureau and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.