Agricultural News
Oklahoma Cattlemen See Much to Like in Feral Swine Proposed Rule
Wed, 17 Feb 2016 16:37:31 CST
The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association (OCA) submitted comments to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry concerning the proposed rule changes for Feral Swine.
According to Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President of the OCA, feral swine have become a major invasive species causing, perhaps, unmeasurable damage to Oklahoma cattle producers. At a public hearing held by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture on Wednesday afternoon, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays talked with Kelsey about the written comments submitted by the cattle organization. Click on the LISTEN BAR below to hear those comments.
According to Kelsey, OCA members discussed the feral swine issue at the 2015 annual convention and passed policy which includes.
OCA supports efforts to control and reduce the feral swine population
OCA opposes policies that would limit or hinder the ability of private land owners to control the feral swine on their property
OCA supports policy for translocated feral swine that includes: reasonable identification that recognizes handler and animal safety and effectiveness of identification device; and recognition of existing and future business models that aide in control of the feral swine population.
"After reviewing the proposed rule modification, OCA believes that there are many facets that match our policy," Kelsey said. "We appreciate the forthright nature of the proposed rule as ODAFF is acting to 'adopt aggressive measures for the eradication of all feral swine in the State of Oklahoma'."
OCA supports the prohibition of importing live feral swine, except for direct to slaughter. OCA also supports identification of translocated swine and encourages ODAFF and those involved transporting feral swine to discover and implement a safe way to do so.
According to Kelsey, the Feral Swine Free Zone outlined in the rule is a bold forward stop to begin an eradication process.
"We believe there should be some clarification regarding a landowner's requirement to report and 'sighting, capture or kill to the Department'. It is our understanding that the reporting requirement will assist ODAFF in knowing the location of feral swine in the free zone, however, careful attention to respecting land owner private property rights should be exercised by ODAFF," Kelsey said.
Kelsey adds that the OCA appreciates the opportunity to submit comments on this important rule. You can read the letter submitted to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture from the OCA by clicking on the PDF file link at the bottom of this story.
01161_OCA_Feral_Swine_Comments_-_Feb_2016.pdf
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