According to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the U.S. feral swine population of 6 million causes billions of dollars in property and agricultural damage, damages to natural resources and more every year. Feral swine are among the most destructive invasive species in the United States.
The bills HB508 & SB236 increase the accountability to a class E felony for any person who knowingly or recklessly releases any swine to live in the wild or possesses or transports certain live wild boar without a permit from the Department of Agriculture. According to the proposed legislation, any person who kills a feral swine outside without the consent of the landowner or not in compliance with certain requirements would be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
The bills also repeal the requirements for the Department of Agriculture to promulgate rules relating to fencing and health standards for certain wild boar and swine held on private property.
