The Ohio Senate followed the Ohio House this week in passing a bill prohibiting the importation and hunting of feral swine and ending the practice of garbage feeding in the state. H.B. 503, known as the Feral Swine bill, now heads to Governor Mike Dewine's office.

H.B. 503 does allow a property owner or tenant to eradicate wild boar or feral swine on private or public property without a hunting license, if the person notifies the state’s division of wildlife within 24 hours and follows the division’s instructions for handling and disposing of the carcass.

Feral swine can carry at least 30 prominent viral and bacterial diseases and nearly 40 parasites that can impact people, pets, livestock and wildlife. Ohio Wildlife Services routinely samples for classical swine fever, pseudorabies and swine brucellosis. Ecological and economic losses from feral swine damage in the U.S are estimated to be greater than $1.5 billion annually, when combined with control costs.

Feral swine, as well as the practice of garbage feeding, pose serious disease risks to the state as well as the nation’s swine herd, including the possibility of introducing African swine fever.

“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,” Ohio Veterinary Medical Association Executive Director Christopher Henney noted in written testimony. “This bill is a significant step in the right direction for Ohio and OVMA is proud to support this effort.”

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The bill was introduced by Reps. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) and Don Jones (R-Freeport), along with Sen. Tim Schaffer, and was supported by the Ohio Pork Council, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Dairy Producers Association, Ohio Cattleman's Association, Ohio Soybean Association, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, Ohio Poultry Association, Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, and the Ohio Forestry Association.

“This bill will help us keep ‘bringing home the bacon’ because it is proactive, not reactive for the state of Ohio,” said Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland). “We are trying to make sure that we are setting the right standards as an agricultural state.”