After many months of providing key facts and answering questions with legislative officials, the efforts of the Ohio Pork Council helped achieve a big milestone for the pork industry on June 12. Introduced earlier this year, Ohio House of H.B. 503 passed with a vote of 89-0 and now must pass the Senate.
The bill would prohibit the importation and hunting of feral swine in the state and ends the practice of garbage feeding, both of which pose serious disease risks to the state’s swine herd, including the possibility of introducing African swine fever.
“We’re celebrating today’s vote in the House, and we remain very optimistic that this bill will see bipartisan passage in the Senate soon to pave the way of giving our state’s largest industry — agriculture — the added protection from the risk of foreign animal diseases that we’re seeking,” Cheryl Day, executive vice president of the Ohio Pork Council, said in a release.
In addition to the reduced risk of animal disease, Day said the immense damage that non-native feral swine bring to Ohio’s land, crops, soil and water each year justifies the complete passage of H.B. 503 in the Senate. National estimates say wild pigs cause $1.5 billion each year.
In a written testimony, Ohio Veterinary Medical Association Executive Director Christopher Henney said feral swine may carry at least 30 viral and bacterial diseases and nearly 40 parasites.
“By outlawing the hunting and importation of feral swine into the state, Ohio will continue to be a national leader in the agriculture and animal health industries,” Henney wrote. “This bill is a significant step in the right direction for Ohio and OVMA is proud to support this effort.”
Along with Ohio Pork, this bill was supported by the Cattleman’s Association, the Soybean Association, the Sheep Improvement Association, the Poultry Association, and the Dairy Producers Association.
In his final remarks immediately prior to the final House vote, Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport) thanked the Ohio Pork Council for its leadership on this important legislation.
“It’s our hope that this bill will stop from happening here in Ohio what has occurred in other states with feral swine and to protect our animals and farmers ability to produce quality food,” Jones said.
Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) agreed and added, “This bill will help us keep ‘bringing home the bacon’ because it is proactive, not reactive for the state of Ohio. We are trying to make sure that we are setting the right standards as an agricultural state.”
Day said it’s time to get H.B. 503 “over the final finish line to reach our overall objective of protecting Ohio farmers in a way that they deserve.”
