Coping with the wild boar invasion

Monday, August 5, 2013

There's a place where pork producers and the Humane Society of the United States can agree. Wild pigs have no place in New York State.

According to the Wall Street Journal in June, the Humane Society was urging New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign legislation making it illegal to import, possess, sell or release invasive wild pigs in the state. Not that they aren't already there. They are also known as Eurasian boars, notorious for escaping their fenced enclosures and establishing breeding populations throughout the state.  A minimum of a $500 fine would be imposed for breaking the law.

Brian Shapiro, New York state director for the Humane Society, is quoted as saying in a press release: "For too long, these invasive species have been escaping fenced enclosures and wreaking havoc on our environment. We are grateful to our sponsors and the legislature for recognizing the importance of protecting our native wildlife and livestock and strongly urge Governor Cuomo to sign this critical legislation right away."

Earlier in June, the society applauded Vermont governor Peter Shumlin for stopping captive hunts of wild boars in that state. BP